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Morning friend ☕
Happy Diwali to all our Hindu and Tamil readers (including me)! 🎆
Today, we’re back on the first 100 days series…
And we’re talking adaptation.
Inspired by Murdock from the A-Team.
The first 100 days were a blur.
You observed like Faceman, strategized like Hannibal, executed like BA.
The early wins are visible.
The spotlight starts to fade.
And then it hits you: You’re no longer “the new manager.”
The rush of proving yourself gives way to something quieter:
Reflection.
Restlessness.
Responsibility.
This is where momentum fades for most.
But not H.M. Murdock.
The A-Team’s eccentric pilot never saw landing as the end of the mission.
He always found another horizon.
Because the best leaders don’t finish their first 100 days.
They reflect and pivot to the next plan.
How?
Grab your coffee ☕
Let’s chat!
Recap: The First 100 Days Series
In the 80’s A-Team series, each member brought a distinct strength.
Faceman charmed and observed. The master of diagnosis.
Hannibal strategized. Turning intel into a clear plan.
BA executed. Cutting through noise and getting it done.
And Murdock? He adapted when things went sideways.
Together, they show the arc of a leader’s first 100 days:
Diagnose. Strategise. Execute. Adapt.
In case you missed them, check out:
Intro: Your First 100 Days
Part 1. Diagnose:Think Like Faceman: Charm Your Way Through the First 30 Days
Part 2. Strategise: Hannibal’s Cigar: Love it When a Strategy Comes Together
Part 3. Execute: First 100 Days Series Part 3: Execute your strategy like BA.
Nail your first 100 days, A-Team style.
The Quiet Pivot
By Day 90, the chaos is behind you.
You’ve found rhythm, allies, and a few battle scars.
But this is also the moment Watkins calls the pivot point:
the shift from transition to momentum.
Niamh O’Keefe calls it closing the plan:
reviewing achievements, communicating results,
and resetting your compass for the journey ahead.
It’s tempting to relax.
But you need to start designing how you’ll lead long-term.
Murdock never stopped at the (bumpy) landing.
He’d fix what broke, fuel up, and take off again before anyone noticed.
Not chaos, just a pilot evolving mid-flight.
The Art of Adaptation
Towards the end of your first 100 days, this is your checkpoint. You’ve proven you can fly; now prove you can keep altitude.
Here’s how to channel Murdock’s genius in your own last 10 days:
Consolidate Wins.
Turn momentum into muscle memory.
Document what worked. Institutionalize it. Build the system.Reflect & Recalibrate.
What assumptions broke? What surprised you?
Adjust now before routine hardens into rigidity.Communicate & Celebrate.
O’Keefe reminds us: close the loop.
Share your results. Thank the team. Anchor success in story.Define the Next Flight Plan.
Watkins says your next 100 days start here.
Set three new priorities. Identify new allies. Clarify what’s next.
Adaptation isn’t reactive. It’s reflective.
It’s what turns a pilot into a navigator.
Action: Your “Murdock Maneuver”
Before Day 100 ends, run your final flight checklist:
Top 3 wins: What worked, and becomes permanent?
Top 3 lessons: What must you fix before the next lift-off?
Next heading: Where will you fly next?
Then share it.
Celebrate it.
And throttle forward.
Murdock may have been the “crazy one,”
but he knew the truth every great leader learns:
Stability comes from constant course correction.
So fasten your seatbelt.
The runway’s clear, Captain.
Your next 100 days begin now.
Key Takeaway
The first 100 days never really end.
They just demand new gears.
Adapting to this under pressure is a skill.
The leaders who last don’t hide from turbulence.
They ride it out, learn from it, and come out sharper on the other side.
Until next week, friend!
Vaugan
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We continue the Broken Team series with The Conflict Problem.
If you missed them, check out these previous posts in this series:
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Disclaimer:
This work is satire and commentary on leadership and management. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NBC, Universal, Marvel, Disney or any creators, owners, or performers associated with The A-Team, Avengers or related properties.
“A-Team”®, “Avengers”® and character names are trademarks of their respective owners. References are used nominatively for commentary and educational purposes only.