Donna Morris is executive vice president and chief people officer at Walmart. She is passionate about how important that first 90 days are for success when you’re starting a new job. Morris brings a decade of experience in C-suite and executive-level positions since 1998. He’s learned a wealth of information that is sure to inspire employees ranging from interns to the C-suite to come out swinging.
Morris makes a strong case for new hires to spend their first three months focusing on communication and clarity. Not only does she think this approach projects confidence but she finds that it builds a positive reputation with peers and supervisors. By emphasizing these building blocks, employees can help ensure a positive future in their organization right from the start.
First and foremost, accept the fact that you need to know what your role is and what you’re supposed to do. Sounds like a really simple concept, but it’s critical, Morris stated. This recommendation follows a number of recent surveys finding a rift between workers and their employers.
A recent survey we did at The Predictive Index in April 2025 created an alarming realization. According to nearly half of employees, their managers lack a complete understanding of them and the position they serve. The survey was a representative national sample of 1,000 working Americans across industries, occupations, and job levels. It showed that 44% of them had been passed over for raises or important assignments due to their supervisors not being able to accurately gauge their abilities and work styles. In addition, 48% of employees said they felt devalued by their executives, which often breeds feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.
As Morris explains, if you want to be successful long-term, it’s important to be strategic about that first 90 days. As for new hires, she encourages them to proactively meet with their coworkers to learn how teams function and what’s expected of them. “In the first 90 days, do as much as possible to really understand who you’ll be working with, how they work and what’s expected,” she added.
Her suggestions couldn’t come at a better time as more and more workers say they are feeling more isolated from their managers and companies. Morris discusses the need for better communication and clarity in the workplace. Improving these aspects can help close the perception gap between employees and management.