Reflection: 1 month in my new job.
It's been one month since I started my new job! As your work bestie, I have been taking notes to pass along to hopefully help you with a new job or assignment.
After a lot of reflection, there is one key thing I have been focusing on that I think is helping me the most in my new role:
Relationships!!
It's more important to me that I know about the people I work for, work with and lead than knowing all the work-related things like acronyms and project details.
Let me explain!
There is literally too much to learn at the start of any new job or assignment. In a new role, I always wish that I had a Jeopardy-worthy trivia memory. But I don't.
And instead of focusing on ALLL of the things that I know I won't retain - like the details of a code name project linked to a particular goal tree item that is part of the 10-year strategy - I am trying to focus more on getting to know the people I am working with. Here's how I have been doing that:
Master the 'this is me": I've really been working on succinctly getting my story/background to new people and tailoring it to what I want them to know about me. This sets the stage for an open dialog and reciprocity where I can learn about others. Giving my intro helps break the ice and gives them ideas on what details to share.
What's my name?: it's hard for me to remember names sometimes. I learned a trick from the book "Captivate" by Vanessa Van Edwards, suggesting to visually spell out any names when you hear them. Literally, imagine their name spelled out above their head. I also go back (in my head) after meetings and review who was in the room, where they were sitting and pin that to their name in my mind.
Listen to make a connection: I try to make one connection during each new conversation. I will listen to someone's introduction and then make a personal connection to something if easily done. If not, I can make a connection to something else, like current events. Something that anchors the details they shared helps me remember it later.
I've also been learning a lot about the business and my job details, but hands down the most important thing I am focusing on is building relationships first. And I've realized that people don't easily forget what it's like being the new kid … many people have given me grace in this regard and are trying to help me. Better believe I will pay this forward to the new one on the team when I know a thing or two.
Are you in a new job or new assignment? What are you focusing on? Or thinking back to your most recent newest job, how did you feel being the new team member, and what tips do you have for others who are going through that now?
