Change we must admit is one of the things we really don’t welcome with open arms. This is because it will always require adjustments in our ways of doing things. It is just human to feel comfortable in what we are accustomed to, and anything that may want to upset this comfort is always disdained. Hence, a new job, career, or even promotion, though may be something we’ve always wanted, is often met with a tint of anxiety and discomfort. A new job, career or promotion may require resuming work earlier, closing later, and driving longer distances than usual. We may need to learn new skills, manage and interact with new people and embrace a totally new way of doing things. Then because of our ego, we are repugnant to acknowledging our ignorance on a new turf and we fall into the trap of imposing or grafting our own style and ways into this new order. It is almost natural. But left to me, I submit that the most difficult aspect of a shift or change in department, or position or career is the new people you would have to work with. When a group of persons have been together on a team for some time, they tend to become familiar with one another and develop a social work style that they are comfortable with – everybody understanding everybody else on the team and how they comfortably work together. When someone new is introduced into this team, especially if the team feels they’re cool like that, or don’t buy the idea of someone new, this new person will most likely suffer what I call official isolation. Obviously, we are all from different backgrounds and have different exposures, career upbringing and experiences. These factors tend to shape our understanding, opinion, attitude, beliefs and value systems and in turn influence our attitude to work and other people. If you have just joined a new team or company where your coming is a change they don’t really fancy, you are most likely going to face this challenge. You find the new team members isolating you, and giving you a not too nice attitude. In fact it is worse when you have intimidating qualifications, certifications or experience or you’re occupying a senior level or coming as head of the team. The first likely experience you’ll face is loneliness. On your first few days no one is likely going to hold long conversations with you. You’re likely going to get the usual one word questions and answers treatment. What is this? Where is this? How is this? And when is this? That will be as much conversations you will hold and all you will get is just the answers to your questions and nothing more. This is simply because in the already established team, no one would want to appear as betraying others by becoming close to you. Alternatively, your first experience may be some members of the team warming up to you, not because they fancy you that much, but because they have a grudge against some or all the members of the existing team and they want to get back at them. So they begin to tell you all you need to know and you don’t need to know about the team and each member- the good, the bad and the ugly. At times it may not be on the account of a grudge, it may just be because they feel you have the power now and they begin to scramble to be in your good books. Because you’re new in the team and not familiar with the social workings within, you may feel slightly insecure and you quickly would want someone you feel you can trust or you can find useful. This insecurity can be dangerous if you don’t manage it well. You may begin to make assumptions and draw wrong conclusions about your new team members. You begin to judge based on hearsays, rumours and assumptions and you may eventually mess up the possibility of a peaceful, happy and fulfilling experience in the team. Truth is you are different from everyone and everyone is different from you! It will be dangerous to expect all to see things from your perspective or point of view. If your credentials or experience is already intimidating, don’t make the mistake of starting off criticising the team or anyone in the team on things that are wrong or not properly done. It will inflame contention and hostility against you immediately, because no one likes their effort and work being rubbished! Instead, appreciate the team, commend everyone, be generous with compliments and don’t offer to help if you’re not asked, it could be interpreted as showing off. Make sure they all see you as nice, warm and humble; it’s the access key out of official isolation. Because even your dress, your good looks, your car, the way you speak and your international exposure may be causing them worries, this could even intimidate your superiors at times! Once you make this good impression, they will willingly submit to you, listen to your views, welcome and celebrate your ideas and accept you without reservation. Change can be challenging, even a good one, but knowing how to manage it will always put you on top. As you go to work this morning, review your relationship style with your team members, what are you doing that is upsetting them? Think about it and don’t say you don’t care. I want to think the S on superman’s costume stands for service and not superiority! Make up your mind today to serve, blend with your team! Enjoy your day!
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 08:18:09 +0000
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