In this
fast paced professional world, most people end up with average 3-6 assignments
in their active working tenures. Over the years, I have worked with many such
professionals and as a keen observer, tried to assemble the small dispersed
fragments of my observations on the most detrimental mistakes people make at
their new work place;
1. Insensitivity towards the change of Industry: Companies across different industries do not work alike. While
most organizations work with a view to encourage diversity and assimilation of ‘best
practices’, the business model of each industry is bound to be different. It
may not be a great idea to compare and view everything with an already
conditioned mind. This may only reflect inflexibility and discomfort in a
different environment.
2. Insensitivity towards organizational culture: Each organization has been brought up with deep rooted values, good,
bad or ugly over several years. Building an expectation of organization
changing for you, or, you changing the organization too fast, at will could be
decimate your chances of success with colleagues and the new environment.
3. Criticizing the legacy that one inherits:
All of us inherit some legacy and also leave one behind. While most of us may
expect admiration or appreciation on what we leave behind, a majority of people
end up criticizing what has been handed over to them at their new work place.
More than this, these are extremely unfounded, premature conclusions which are
made and communicated in order to re-set the expectations on the starting
point.
4. Pre-conceived notions about their work place : I observed a few unproductively researching on weak areas to be
highlighted or identifying ‘tough nuts to crack’ in their initial learning days
rather than focusing to know more about the industry, business, comparables
with the best in the industry and improvement areas. This only reflects self
serving assumptions that begin to condition their minds and shape their
perceptions and beliefs. A different reality only ends up being a shocker while
the damage is already done. It may be a good idea to look for data for
objective judgment.
5. Focusing on personal engagements:
Arriving at a new work place has its own anxieties and new joiners end up
managing them by engaging with presumably like- minded people, irrespective of
relevance and value of precious learning time, and the opportunity to meet many
others at the work place. While comfortable relationships will address initial
anxieties, it may be useful to engage and be visible across departments and
peer group to be effective, faster than expected.
A new
work place is the ramification of one’s effort to get a new opportunity, environment
or setting. It is that time to begin completely afresh with no inertia, notions
or past experiences. I would recommend that all of us make the most of this occasion
and time.
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