A Field Guide for Your First 100 days

Congratulations! You got the job, now what? Here’s a Field Guide for Your First 100 Days on the Job that will help set you up for success at your new organization.?

Field guides are just that, guides – not rule books – however, we keep seeing field guides for every possible topic, so there must be something to it.?And what’s with this “100 days” thing?

At the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), we have successfully run innovative ideas through 100-day project increments (using a Rapid Results-style process) for years now. These 100-day projects are awesome ways to flesh out important innovations (and they are also kind of fun!).?But where do they come from and why does everyone care about 100 days??From the first 100 days in office to the first 100 days on the job.

Well, since I like to dig into things, let me tell you what I’ve found in my research. As it turns out, historians tell us that we get 100 days from the Napoleonic era. Fun fact: It took Napoleon 111 days to snag the title of Emperor during the rampage through Europe before he was defeated at Waterloo.? (so they must have rounded down a bit ??).

But I digress.

Like it or not, the first 100 days matter! I had – and continue to have – amazing mentors at MPAC whom I sought out within my first 100 days. I also had work experience in the IT world before I came to MPAC, so now it’s time to pay if forward.

Here are 15 observations that make up the Field Guide for Your First 100 Days on the Job:

Field Guide Observation #1: Have Fun

I am not kidding! You spend a quarter of your life at work, and you only live once so make sure you’re having fun.

Field Guide Observation #2: Serve a greater purpose

Make sure where you are working aligns with the values and vision of where you would like to be (look out for a future article on vision boards).?You’re in your probation period, and if it’s not working out, now is the time to eject and move on.

Field Guide Observation #3: Find the Rhythm

Your first 100 days will be very exciting (they should be, see further down if they are not). You will have big ideas, that’s one of the reasons you were hired.?Try and match your rhythm to theirs without slowing yourself down (it’s a marathon not a sprint). Add your ideas like a jazz musician adds notes.

Field Guide Observation #4: Listen more than you speak

This is easier said than done (no pun intended!). This was, and continues to be, a challenge for me.?It takes patience and practice, but it is important as much of the time it can help you to learn more.

Field Guide Observation #5: Have a Plan

Before you start your first day you should put together a tactical action plan of what your strategic objectives are and roughly how you think you will accomplish them – this plan will very quickly become obsolete as so many do, so remain flexible –?a plan is a common base for changes.

Field Guide Observation #6: Remember the 3 R's (Research, Research, Research)

When preparing to start your job (before your first day, if possible), talk to experts in your industry – they are surprisingly available and love to tell you their thoughts. If your new employer is traded on an exchange, pull their fillings and investigate their trading spikes, what happened and why and what’s important to their stakeholders.?If you can find it publicly, pull the company’s mission, vision and values statement and read up on information from the corporate website and employee intranet.

Field Guide Observation #7: Look to bridge obstacles fast

Think building Bailey bridges, not skyways. When building bridges to the future, don’t forget about the bridges still holding things up. Before you replace a sign, find out why that sign is there.

Field Guide Observation #8: Don’t disconnect from your family or friends

Work and personal lives will always be a balancing act. Your friends and family will know you’ve started a new job and may keep their distance to allow you time to settle in. It’s not unusual for you to be super focused in this phase – in fact, it’s human nature – but don’t hide, keep up some social life!

Field Guide Observation #9: Row in the same direction

Get to know how your team, other departments and the company as a whole works. Corporate and departmental strategic plans, as well as asking questions about the overall culture, will help you get the feel of how things are done, so you can make sure you’re going with the flow and understand how you fit into it too.

Field Guide Observation #10: read the code of conduct

Familiarize yourself with the necessary organizational standards and principles. Human Resources is on your side, they want you to win! If you have questions, never be afraid to approach them – that’s why they’re there.

Field Guide Observation #11: Follow the chain of command

Sorry, it’s an old term but I still use it. If you have any issues, follow the prescribed processes that have been laid out – this should come up in your pre-employment research.?Always start with your manager, they are there to support you and help guide you through your onboarding.

Field Guide Observation #12: Make sure you can say truth to power

It’s critically important in your first 100 days to determine if you can speak truth to power.?While my organization does not enact every idea I have ever had, they listen to my ideas. When I see a warning sign, they listen and act. Even when my ideas are not enacted, they explain why and how everything fits together. This is an organization that will listen to the truth regardless of who says it in the organization.

Field Guide Observation #13: Ask for Help, ask Questions

It’s a warning sign if you don’t ask questions as you are new to the organization and everyone knows that you are on the learning curve.

Field Guide Observation #14:?Keep working on your moon shot

Keep working on your moon shot, or in other words, your long-term professional and personal goals. You don’t need to abandon other ambitions just because you work a 9 to 5. Many organizations encourage volunteer and other work outside of your regular work hours (but make sure you understand the code of conduct, so you know what’s permitted).?

Field Guide Observation #15: Enjoy the Adventure

A new job, especially if you're early in your career, is both scary and exciting. You will feel many emotions but just remember when you do the right things for the right reasons, the right things will happen!