4/8/2013–Priorities are different at the start of a job vs later on.
For the first 90 days, “Fit in, fit in, fit in” is the advice from Manager Tools (MT). At first, it sounds like advice to just be nice to people and not tick anyone off. But now that I’m into it, I see it also means not introducing or suggesting change as well. It’s obvious why coming in trying to make an immediate impact is dangerous for your reputation and relationships. But it also is a distraction from learning how to do the basics of the job well. Before I can know what changes to make, I must know what not to change. I’ve been so focused on long-term investments (recruiting, developing relationships) that my shift execution has suffered. I know I’ll reap the benefits of O3s and better relationships with staff as well. I could describe it as top-down development, vs bottom-up. I’ve been developing my skills for top-level stuff when I should be more concerned with the bottom-level tasks.
QOTW: “Learn how to be a good manager first.” -Ryan
?FNW: How will Ryan take my “thanks”?
10/24/2017 review: A truer lesson I never learned–fitting in is such an important lesson to get right for new people. It’s made more important by the odd rejection that many people have thinking “fitting in” is selling out or not being “authentic”. Well, what trumps bringing your “full self” to work in the first 90 days is the way humans operate, and first impressions are hugely important because everything you do in the first few interactions you have with people is all they know about you. We naturally overestimate the first traits we see when we meet someone. If the first time we meet them they exhibit behaviors different from our culture, it’s totally natural for us to have concerns about working together (wrongly, I admit). Rather, the new person who pays attention to culture and fits in (ethically) reaps rewards in the form of more attention, assistance, and probably lunch invites.
The other lesson from this journal entry about fundamentals is to learn the basics duties of your role before learning the advanced skills needed to excel. For sure, still agree, that’s what the best managers and coaches teach, in my experience.