You’re new here aren’t you?

Lisa Smith

Do you remember when you first started at your new job? Remember, you were full of ideas, saw all the things that didn’t make sense, the opportunities that were being missed…but what to do with those ideas?

Put them out there in the first 30 days (give or take) and risk being told “you’re new here, aren’t you?” to maybe be followed up with some “you’ll understand how we work once you’ve been here for a while”.  It is de-motivating, embarrassing and a great way to ensure that you never share your pearls of wisdom again.

Or you could wait til day 31 and risk forgetting the opportunities, becoming embedded in the organisation’s way of thinking and then not creating the change that made sense to you when you first arrived.

Each time an incumbent blocks an idea just because you are new, chances are that their objection will not be to the idea, but to you.  How dare you walk in the door and see something that they themselves have not noticed.  You are challenging their experience, their expertise and if you receive this objection, then you have made them feel very uncomfortable indeed.

So why not try something a little different.  Pay special attention in those first 30 days, noticing the things that are clunky, out dated or that simply don’t make sense – and write them down. Notice the opportunities that you see and every option for innovation that you can find – and write them down. Capture every thought you have, when you have it, why you have it, and what you would like to do with it, and then wait for day 31.

So what do you do on day 31? Start sharing your gems a little at a time; you’ve been there for a little while and people should be a little more comfortable with you challenging the way things are done.  And when someone new comes to you and shares an interesting idea, you can say “you’re new here aren’t you?” and follow it up with a “thank god you’ve arrived”.

 

Want to keep reading?

More Articles about Leadership

The enemy within.

The best time to eject a 'Dr. Smith' is before they sabotage the entire mission.

Time to act.

Leadership is about acting courageously - without the benefit of certainty.

What do we want?

We need minds that think beyond immediate individual wants.

Don’t trust the escalator.

It’s as if the guys we depend on to put the pin back in the grenade only know how to kick the thing into the fire.

Not my idea.

The real value of an idea should judged by more than who gets to look good… and/or who doesn’t.

Empty speculation.

Speculation is a massive waste of time and energy.