Adjusting to a new team

Starting a new role can be one of the most exciting challenges in your career. But it can also be a stressful and demanding time, even for the most experienced professional.

Properly adjusting to new responsibilities and a new work environment, including a new team and boss, can take time. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed but don't let that affect your performance. We've put together advice on how to ensure the transition into your new role is as smooth as possible:

Get to know your new boss

Understanding your boss’s communication style early in the process is crucial. Find out how they like to work on a day-to-day basis and, in particular, how they like things done. For example, do they prefer one-on-one meetings over team meetings? Do they like very detailed presentations, or do they prefer simple overviews? Find out how they work together with different departments and who their key stakeholders are. 

Finding out these things early on will help you settle into your new role quicker. Be proactive and initiate a meeting with your new boss to discuss how they like to work and adapt. This will help you understand what is expected of you and help set clear expectations.

Reach out to your co-workers

The sooner you can begin building relationships with your new colleagues, the more comfortable you’ll be in your new company:

• Make a point of meeting people and remembering their names

• Maintain eye contact when talking to others

• Be friendly, considerate and respectful and take your cues from your colleagues; if they are talking as they work, join in.

• Try to understand your new colleagues’ roles and responsibilities. 
   

Ask questions

Never be afraid to ask questions, whether to your immediate manager or colleagues. People would prefer you to ask questions when you’re unsure about something rather than continue working without knowing or understanding exactly what you’re doing, as it can be far more time-consuming and costly to fix any errors you’ve made later down the track.

Be patient with yourself

Don’t forget to be patient with yourself, changing companies and joining a new team is exciting but can also be stressful. Acknowledge that there will be a transition period as you adapt to your new role and team and that your relationships will progress naturally over the more time you work together.