Excitement or Anxiousness

Whenever we join a new organization, we all are excited to know, what is the culture of the organization, what kind of approach people have while communicating with internal as well as external customers, how they react when someone praise them or suggest something new.

There are so many things going over within ourselves considering the new workplace. It is because we spend most of our time in our second home (our workplace). Initially you aren’t closed to anyone, so you will need to give it sometime. However, you still continue with:

• Are these guys acceptable enough to discuss the things?
• Am I allowed to give suggestions to experienced team members?
• Will I be entertained speaking my own experience?
• Will my manager listen to me, if I will involve myself in discussions?
• Will I be going alone for having lunch or shall I ask someone to accompany me?

Aahhhhh so many thoughts going around at back of our mind, but still we have a smile on our face.

Theory says whenever we join an organization, for weeks’ time, we observe entire culture and then react, very few of us directly jumps in. Main question knocks over here, what is the culture of an organization?

We all are anxious or be afraid about this question, which is normal, however answer to this question rely on us only.

Culture is not something that being commanded from management to be followed. ?Culture is what people cultivate. It is not derived from past, it is what and how we do things in present. Culture is in our hands, we can make it out as per our approach. With great positivity and thinking, we can work in any organization considering that organization as our own baby to deal with, doing our job with passion and confidence, as we are the CEO.

When we start initially, we have uncertainty about how leaders or new team members will help us, which is again the expected behavior. Whether it’s a new workplace, a new leader joining your team, or a new friend in your group, you feel the same way.

Recently, I changed my job. I moved on from Kayako and joined Unifyed. When I started in Kayako or at Unifyed, even I had the same query which pressurized me, but I was confident enough that I will make it work. (stay tuned for another post to know more about it)

My experience says, leaders will surely groom you by holding your hands, but you need to show initiatives from your end to have this privilege. Leaders are to manage you – lead you, remember just manage.

If you will learn things – leaders will help you to learn more

If you will do something out-of-the-box – leaders will help you to do more

If you will make mistakes – leaders will help you to do more — Ahh no, they will help you to omit those, but will make a note too (that’s their job)

The most important thing is, your proactive approach to reach out to respective person to gain knowledge. No one really has time to do knowledge transfer (unless he/she is leaving the organization). You would need to outreach to collect your part of info and learn and take initiatives. It is okay to unlearn a few things, there’s always new lessons waiting for you.

With my experience, I also have learnt, the hidden way to empowering a team member. If your manager is not responding to your questions, it doesn’t always mean that they are ignoring you or not interested in your questions. There is a possibility that they are confident enough in you and want you to find out a way. Many a times, I used to ask questions from my manager and she intentionally unnoticed my questions. But later, after a day or two, she used to take a follow up with me, to ensure if I could identify the answer. Which is another way to add empowerment and confidence in you. (she shared this secret sauce) Hence, develop the habit of self-learn.

The crux of the story is, you need to work upon yourself, following self-help, self-learning, exploring new things, and of course, with the support of your team, and supporting your team. Thanks to the wonderful teams I've worked with and currently working with.

The more you take care of your belongings (your work) the more support you get, and the more responsibilities. Be prepared for the new chapter!