Starting as a manager with a new organization can be overwhelming or stressful at the least, even for the most seasoned manager. A new supervisor and expectations can also be sources of pressure for new managers. Many managers tend to rely on their experience, education and other credentials or recommendations to support them in their new role. That’s fine, to a point. Every new opportunity is just that—a clean slate where professionals can essentially start over and re-position themselves for greater impact and levels of success.

Relationships

Associating and partnering with the right individuals can help you get work done and create opportunities. If you’re a new manager, how do you know who you should be connecting with? In addition to any information your supervisor gives you, consider recommendations provided by your mentor, if you have one. Identify any high performing peers on your team and discover any shared goals with others. Expand your circle to include others throughout the organization and ensure you are known at varying levels.

Information

Your supervisor, mentor, peers and others can share information with you that will help you better understand your role and your department as well as the organization’s strengths and challenges. You can also learn a great deal from these individuals about your team. Review reputable, external sources of information as well and discover how the organization positions itself to the public and what various sources share about the organization, its leadership and future prospects. Reports, press releases and Internet searches can be valuable supplemental sources of information.

History

The organization’s culture can be one of the most powerful aspects impacting performance. The more you learn about the organization’s culture, values and traditions the better—your actions need to demonstrate your understanding of them. In addition to the individual sources of information mentioned above, consider speaking with others throughout the organization and attending events to observe and participate while seeking out opportunities to speak with retirees or other individuals with longevity with the organization who may be willing to share cultural or historic information.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships impact your success.
• Information that helps you do your best work will come from multiple sources.

Try This:

• Within your first 60 days, build key relationships and continue to enrich relationships thereafter.
• Work with a mentor to learn as much as possible quickly. If a formal mentoring program doesn’t exist, find one yourself.

Are you interested in learning how you can thrive in your job and career? Read more>>