Starting a new job is as exciting as it is a daunting experience. The first three months are crucial in determining success, and 46% of newly hired managers do not last more than 18 months, according to a Leadership IQ study.
The study emphasizes that technical skills are not the main reason for failure, but rather poor interpersonal skills. Here are some tips that should help new employees and managers navigate those critical 18 months.
1. Learning people’s names and what motivates them is the best way to create a strong first impression. A new manager must be noticeable and communicate with everyone.
2. A manager must arrive at meetings and the workplace before others. This will demonstrate commitment to the job and ambition.
3. Getting to know your own team is extremely important. Lunches or coffees are a great way to find out what is happening in the company and can play a key role in developing trust between the boss and employees.
4. Every office has its own policies and culture, and it is important to grasp the rules of the game as soon as possible.
5. First, listen and observe, then act. Form your opinion only after you have had time to study the company’s culture and policies. Also, adjust your dress code to match others in the office.
6. Ask colleagues, superiors, and business partners how they would like to be communicated with – in person, by phone, via email – and how often.
7. No one likes surprises, especially those above you. If a project is not going as you envisioned or promised, it is crucial to inform your superiors as soon as possible. You must be prepared for things not to always go as planned, but what you must always have is a ‘plan B’.
8. People can lose credibility very quickly when they do not meet expectations. So be cautious even when things seem to be going perfectly.
