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Can you imagine introducing yourself that way? Probably not right? What if I told you that thinking this as you introduce yourself can help you get to know your team faster and better? A simple thought like this can help you change your approach as you settle into a new role, and make the process less stressful for you.
You've landed your dream job…
You finally got that promotion you've been praying for…
You've just come back from maternity leave and things have changed big time…
Starting a new job, going into a new role or working with a new group of people can be overwhelming. You're trying to make a good impression, be accepted, prove yourself and ultimately deliver results.
For you to deliver results you have got to work well with others, which requires getting to know the people you are expected to work with. The latter process is critical because it will help you determine how you will relate with each of your colleagues and eventually help you build a team that will work towards your collective vision and goals.
So what should you do? The key is not what you do but how you do it, and here’s how:
TELL ME MORE…
Approach this phase with curiosity. Put aside any personal judgements, assumptions and stereotypes as you interact with your colleagues. It is important to keep reminding yourself of this so you do not inadvertently sideline someone with great potential because you think men are easier to work with than women, for example.
Use this lens of curiosity to observe how everybody interacts with each other, especially with their managers, supervisors and direct reports. Ask a lot of questions and listen with a view to building a picture of the abilities, talents and characteristics of your team, as well as the culture you will soon be a part of.
HEY, I'M YOUR NEW MANAGER AND I’M IGNORANT!
Approach your initial conversations as though you know nothing. It is tempting to show your colleagues that you are qualified for your new role, but this really isn’t necessary. After all, you got the job!
Now is the time to learn from your colleagues and gather knowledge that you will not get from reading reports, meeting resolutions and policy documents. Aim to gather information that will give you a historical and contextual perspective and empower to apply your expertise in a way that adds value.
You may great at analysing data, but if you don’t have a complete understanding of its context, how it sits in a data table or how it is used for decision making, you may not add value at all.
Going in with a know it all attitude is likely to turn you into a TV! Your colleagues will simply watch and give a commentary among themselves, rather than engaging with you and sharing their thoughts.
On the contrary, a know nothing attitude creates a safe space for your colleagues to give you honest input and feedback. It also empowers you to confidently ask for help when you don’t understand something or don’t know what to do.
GET OFF THE STAGE!
Be yourself, be real, be authentic.
If you put on an act or behave in a way that you think will impress your colleagues, you will have to keep this up as long as you are there! Being yourself on the other hand, allows you to redirect the energy you would have spent putting on an act to performing and getting results. The bonus is that your colleagues will get to know your boundaries, values, and expectations vis-à-vis work.
Let’s say you’re in a meeting and a colleague tells a sexist joke which you find deeply offensive. Instead of laughing along with everyone else you can speak up and voice your position. If you are not given the floor you can speak to the Chair afterwards.
Your goal during this phase is to connect with your colleagues in an authentic way so that you build a relationship based on trust and certainty. This relationship will be the foundation for you to assign, delegate, critique work, as well as resolve problems together.
Make an effort to meet your colleagues where they are, by not judging them beforehand. Interact with them authentically so you can build relationships based on trust.
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