5 Things to do when joining a new team

 

Joining a new team at work can be both stressful and exciting.  Here are some key tips to ensure that you get off on the right foot and make a lasting contribution to your new team.

1. Stop and listen 

If you're brand new to a team, now is not the time to assume you know everything and have all the right answers.  At first, you should sit back and absorb everything going on around you.  Get to know what makes the team tick.  What are the important goals, processes and procedures. Make sure that you assimilate to the way of work that the team is already used to.  There will be time later to suggest changes.

2. Get personal

Get to know your new teammates, both professionally and personally.  Small talk can be tiresome but creates important bonds between people.  These bonds can help you work more effectively with your new team and get them to accept you more readily.  Ask them about their work, career journey and aspirations.  Ask them about their hobbies and what they do for fun.  Be sure to spend more time listening than talking.  

3. Get an early win

If you see a project or task that you have the strengths and talents to complete, ask to take it on.  This not only takes something off the plate of a coworker, but allows you to showcase your skills.  

4. Learn your team's talents 

Everybody has individual strengths.  These are the things that they do better than anyone else.  For some it may be talking to customers, for others it may be strategic thinking or keeping a team organized.  Watch what your new team mates do well and what projects they get excited about.  Knowing the talents of your new peers will help you know who to go to when you have a problem.  Asking someone to help you also has the additional benefit of making that person like you more. So you get a double benefit of improving your relationship with your peer, getting expert advice and allowing your peer to flex their strengths and talents.

5. Build credibility 

Consistency and quality are the keys to building credibility. Say what you'll do and do what you say. Your team is judging you when you are new.  Give them something positive to judge you on. Consistently turn in work on time, do your work well, volunteer for new projects. As  you continue to grow into your new team, they will see this consistency and quality and appreciate you for it. 

What have you done when you've joined a new team?  Tell us in the comments below!