First-Time CEO: How Thanakorn Navigated His First 100 Days

"The first week as CEO, I felt like an imposter. Everyone was looking to me for answers I didn't have." — Thanakorn S., CEO

The Unexpected Promotion

When the board appointed Thanakorn as CEO of a 500-person logistics company, he had 48 hours to process the news before the announcement. He'd been COO for three years, but nothing prepared him for the weight of the top role.

"As COO, I had a boss to escalate to. As CEO, the buck stopped with me. That shift was harder than I expected."

Finding Support

Thanakorn's board recommended executive coaching through Pragma. His coach had worked with dozens of first-time CEOs and understood the unique challenges of the transition.

"My coach didn't give me answers. She asked questions that helped me find my own. That's exactly what I needed."

The First 100 Days

Together, they developed a structured approach for Thanakorn's first 100 days: listening tours with every department, one-on-ones with key stakeholders, and a framework for prioritizing the overwhelming number of decisions landing on his desk.

"I learned that I didn't need to change everything at once. My job was to understand first, then act."

Building the Team

The hardest lesson was learning to let go of his COO responsibilities. Thanakorn had to trust his successor and resist the urge to micromanage.

"My coach called it 'leading through others.' It sounds simple, but it required rewiring 20 years of habits."

One Year Later

Twelve months in, the company has grown 23% and launched two new service lines. More importantly, Thanakorn has built a leadership team he trusts completely.

"I still have imposter moments. But I've learned that's normal. Every CEO does."