What an Interim CEO really does in the first 30 days

The first month of an interim CEO mandate is not about making sweeping changes. It is about building a foundation of understanding that allows for confident, decisive action in the weeks that follow. In our experience, the executives who succeed in interim roles share a common approach to their first 30 days: they listen intensively, stabilize what needs stabilizing, and establish credibility through small, visible actions.

Week 1: Listen and map the terrain

The first week is dedicated to one-on-one conversations with every member of the leadership team, key operational managers, and critical external stakeholders including the board, major lenders, and top customers. The goal is not to form conclusions but to understand how each person sees the situation, where they see risk, and what they believe needs to happen first.

Week 2: Understand the cash position

Regardless of why the interim CEO has been brought in, the second week should focus on developing a clear, honest view of the company's cash position. This means building a 13-week cash flow forecast, understanding covenant compliance status, and identifying any near-term liquidity risks that need immediate attention.

Weeks 3-4: Establish operating rhythm

By the third week, the interim CEO should be establishing a new operating rhythm: weekly leadership meetings with clear agendas and accountability, a simple dashboard of key metrics that the team reviews together, and a communication cadence with the board and major stakeholders. These routines create stability and signal that the organization is moving forward with purpose.