-On an unrelated note-
I am curious. Many of the bloggers on MDJ seem to work 9-5 jobs. Maybe This is a bias assumption as I am new and do not know anyone. But is it possible the majority of people that are a regular part of this Blog, are 9-5ers? And they are the higher percentile of people that try to always improve their habits.

Till then,

Jean

The transitions weren’t always easy, but given time, every move was the right move. It also had the secondary (or maybe it was primary) benefit of greatly increasing my salary beyond what I would have received by staying put.

One thing I did pick up quickly is that every time I joined a new company, I volunteered to be part of “the social committee”. It was a great way to establish relationships and see people beyond the 9-5 work environment. It showed to them that you were not just another body – you were willing to give back and make the workplace better.

Often, the first few weeks are a bit tedious as you learn all of the new things – whether it is the phone system, the products, the processes, etc. Thus, being part of the social committee gave me something that was a break from the routine.

My current employer has had the pleasure (at least I hope so!) of having me as an employee for 10 years. This is much longer than I’ve ever been at one employee. But, that is because 3 years ago I was offered a position significantly different from my old role. In essence, it was very similar to leaving the company as I now report to our US organization and my scope has expanded from Canada to the globe.

I know what it is like when a new person comes in and questions the methods in which we do things. It is natural to get our backs up when this ‘interloper’ comes into our environment and makes hasty conclusions. Of course, that was probably all of us when we first started!

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve mellowed more and learned to accept the differences a lot quicker than I used to.

Great advice Kathryn… I hope it helps someone out there.

As for the article, I wholeheartedly agree with the first point. It can really kill the morale when a new leader comes in and changes everything without knowing how things work or even consulting the people who’ve been there longer. (I don’t mean that they shouldn’t change anything, but they should at least do their homework first, which is observing and talking to people).

Great observations about people changing with a culture and the culture changing with new people. I don’t plan on always going with the flow. I agree that we need to show our personality and be the change we want to see. It’s easier in a small or new company than it is in a large one.

Interesting about the ‘things look greener’ on the other side comment. One of the points I almost wrote was “Don’t compare”. It’s easy to see the dysfunction either in the new company or in the old one when faced with a new situation. I’ve had the opposite experience from “Rich Money Habits”. I’m suddenly seeing very clearly how much greener the grass is where I’ve landed! It’s a nice place to be.

Regarding changing workplace cultures, I think there are two main schools of thought: be who you are and let people adjust, or see what the atmosphere is like before making your opinions known. And I also think that there are some jobs where it is not possible to observe and learn for a few months before jumping in, i.e., managerial positions. Me, I’m an observer and I like to try to swim with the tide. You’re not going to like everyone – that’s a given – but hopefully you’ll be able to avoid becoming someone’s favourite whipping child/ subject of gossip.

May I offer that, in my opinion, people change with the culture. I’ve changed from a blue-collar, boisterous, jeans-wearing, late-night-into-early-morning culture to practically the opposite: downtown, well-dressed, softly spoken and discreet. If we as workers are indeed going to change careers throughout our working lives, then I believe that we need to adopt new habits along with the skillsets. I’m not saying lose your personality and become a faceless part of the herd, but I do believe that dealing with a business culture (i.e., people at work) means that some personal flexibility is required.

For your own situation, I would ask: is there a company function or charity that key people or most people support, i.e., breast cancer run, golf tournament, jazz music? One of the ways a new person can really feel that they are a part of “the team” is participating in an event that is not, strictly speaking, work.

So those are my thoughts. Keep up the great work!

As a consultant/contractor, I run into a very similar situation – every time I start a new project with a client (every year, or so).

It’s different in the sense, that as a contractor – I sometimes feel like we’re viewed differently then someone who was hired on, as a permanent full-time employee. That being said, many of your comments and observations are still applicable – and I can relate with each one.

I’m a pretty laid back type of person, confident in what I bring to the table – but I find that it’s important to sit back, and observe the current culture. I like to observe the people that I will likely be working with closely and how they interact with their fellow employees. It gives me a better idea of how to approach them, when needed. At the end of the day – I’m the “new kid on the block”, and I feel like I need to earn their “trust” (i.e. in my capabilities). It’s served me well.

I’m also the type of person, who doesn’t (or tries not) take things personally – I look at each critique from their perspective, and take away the “good” comments. I don’t pretend to know everything, so I look at each new project as an opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

Good Luck!!

“You’re not suppose to know how things work.”
“Then one of the employees kindly explained that I was suppose to run the meeting.”

Actually, you’re not supposed to know how things work, and you were supposed to run the meeting. Suppose is in the present tense. Supposed is the past tense.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, office culture is so critical, and your advice is great. I would add that once you seem to be getting along with everyone, you no longer have to do exactly what everyone else does. In my office, most people eat in the cafeteria downstairs. I am an introvert, and prefer to eat alone, either at my desk, or offsite to get a break from it all. No one seems to mind, especially since I am very friendly during the day – but I feel that lunch time is mine to do as I please.

Another interesting thing I noticed is that when I have changed jobs (only three times in the last ten years) I get sick often for the first few months at the new office. I don’t know if it is stress related, or I am getting exposed to new germs, but you may want to prepare yourself for it, and wash your hands a lot!

I’ve been at my job longer than you were at your old job so I don’t have any advice for you. :)