The First 100 Days
Course Outline
The first 100 days in office can make or break a government.
This is the moment when public expectations are highest, political capital is strongest, and missteps are most costly. How do new leaders set the right tone, build credibility, and establish a foundation for long-term success?
This course is a practical guide for leaders, strategists, and advisors preparing for the transition from campaigning to governing. Led by Radu Puchiu, Siobhan Bassford, and Lord Darren Mott, it will equip you with the strategies, tools, and leadership skills needed to make an immediate impact in office.
“The celebration of victory is short-lived.
The next morning, governing begins.”
Radu Puchiu
Winning an election is only the first step. The real challenge begins on Day One. The first 100 days are a crucial window where new governments set the tone, define priorities, and establish credibility. This is the moment to move from campaign promises to real governance — without losing momentum, public trust, or control of the agenda.
This course provides a step-by-step framework for political leaders, advisors, and senior officials who need to hit the ground running. You will learn how to:
- Transition from campaign mode to government mindset: How to shift from mobilising voters to making real policy decisions.
- Set clear priorities and avoid distractions: Focus on what matters most while managing political and media noise.
- Build your leadership team and decision-making structure: Who should be in the room? How do you delegate effectively?
- Manage public expectations and political capital: Avoid overpromising, underdelivering, and early credibility loss.
- Navigate the civil service and government bureaucracy: Understand who holds real power behind the scenes.
- Master government communications: Why message discipline is essential and how to maintain control of the public narrative.
Interactive Leadership Development
This is not a theoretical course — it’s designed to give you the practical tools to lead effectively from the moment you take office. You will work through realistic political and leadership challenges, including:
- The Prioritisation Challenge: You have 100 days, but limited time, staff, and resources. Which policies do you push first?
- The Power Map Exercise: Identify the key people who will make or break your administration—both inside and outside your government.
- Crisis Management Simulation: How do you respond to an early crisis without derailing your agenda?
- The Communication Strategy Test: Learn how to control the narrative and avoid early messaging pitfalls.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a structured 100-day leadership plan—knowing what to do, when to act, and how to govern with confidence.
“In a campaign, you promise change. In government, you have to deliver it. The first 100 days determine whether you succeed or fail.” Siobhan?
In this course you will learn from

The Lord Mott OBE
A former Chief Executive
of the Conservative Party,
he has shaped national election campaigns, modernised political operations. READ MORE

Siobhan Bassford
Siobhan Bassford is a strategic communications and public affairs expert with extensive experience in government, political campaigns, and corporate communications. READ MORE

Radu Puchiu
Radu Puchiu is a leading voice at the intersection of technology, governance, and civic innovation. READ MORE