Picture courtesy- quotemaster.org
Many of us spend considerable amount of time searching jobs or switching teams that would perfectly fit our career aspirations in the hope that it would propel our current position and bring a sense of fulfilment. However, it is just a matter of time that we realize that we do not fit into the culture, unsure about whom we should build our relationships with and many times even unsure about what is our actual role in the team or the new organization. Sometimes it would make us even wonder if we are even qualified for the job / role that we worked so hard to land.
The fact is that if you want to excel in a new job/role, you cannot rely on external factors but rather you need to take control of your integration. Here are some tips to do that:
Cultivate connection up, down and across:
It is typical that as a new employee or new team member by default we focus on the relationship with our direct manager, but others across the organization or team can be just as critical in influencing your career. Spending time early on to figure out who the key influencers are in relation to your role, and getting to know them face-to-face, can pay big dividends down the road. Understanding the power centres / influencers who can help fasten accomplishing your goals and figuring out how to create the right perception for yourself would be crucial to even get the right assignments that match your profile and also create the visibility for your key accomplishments
Look for Early wins:
Being taken into a new team or organization as the best person for the job your manager might confer a “Halo effect” status on you in the initial weeks or months. This is your best chance to take advantage by identifying and delivering on early winds. The goal must not be to become a hero but to select an initial success that motivates the team, can be achieved quickly, and delivers operational or financial results.
Build Trust:
As they say “First Impression is the Best Impression”. When you get into a new job/role please ensure that people around you get to know you and your intentions clearly. Be honest about what you still are not clear about but make sure you involve other colleagues to offer their insights and perspectives.
So with a little planning, you can take control of your new job/role and build lasting relationships that can accelerate your success! Good Luck! J