We’re well into the new year and this is the time of year when people are on the move, switching companies or looking for new opportunities. If you find yourself in such a position — just starting your new job, full of excitement and joy — that’s great, congratulations. You’ve left your comfort-zone and decided to take on a new challenge!
After the initial excitement has settled, the urge to prove oneself slowly starts to kick in. We search for moments to promote our own skills and prove that the company made the right decision in hiring us. While this is natural, it can also be tricky — here’s how to not look like a fool and make the most of the situation:
- Don’t trust your instinct
When you’re trying to prove yourself, you want to come across as a strong, determined and most of all — as a competent individual. You want to prove that the company and your manager have made the right decision in hiring and trusting you. You want to show that you already know — instead, show that you want to learn. Go against your instinct and show vulnerability and willingness to acquire new knowledge. Ask questions. Tons of them. Take notes. Study and observe your new surroundings with open eyes. Don’t be afraid to show that you don’t know. Acquire as much knowledge on any particular subject as you can to be able to make a truly good impression and build trust in the long-term. - Be sceptical of your experience
Telling yourself that you’ve been through a particular situation before, labelling it as experience and using it to boost your confidence in a new situation is a good way to achieve just that. Moreover, experience is a big contributor to why you find yourself in that new environment, it got you the job. Question your own experience. Every person is different. Every company is different. If you use your experience to solve new problems in old ways, you will end up with half-baked solutions that just don’t quite seem to fit. Instead of applying the same angles to a problem that you’ve encountered at your previous position, understand what makes this problem different. Use your experience as a starting point, rather than an answer. - Build trust instead of reputation
The core foundation to any kind of relationship is trust and it’s essential and incredibly fragile at the same time. Don’t be impatient. Trust needs to be built over time by proving scepticism wrong through positive experiences. Earn your trust and don’t forget to also show trust. Don’t try to put yourself in a good spot by making decisions and earning a reputation. Delegate. Consult. Communicate. Involve team members, stakeholders, fellow decision makers in your process. Be transparent and above all, be respectful. Trust takes a long time to develop and once it’s there, you’re ready to take on bigger challenges together. This is where the fun begins.
I switched jobs a year ago and it’s been interesting to observe myself. These learnings are the ones that stood out to me after the initial acclimatisation period and they’ve helped me put some perspective on behaviour that I previously didn’t see or understand.
The takeaway
Stay humble and true to yourself. Enjoy the excitement of being in a new environment and the opportunity to learn new things every day. Remember, that’s why you moved in the first place. Don’t place yourself above anyone else, no matter how much experience you bring with you. Every situation is unique, every company is different. Build relationships for the long-term and make the most of it.
