Tips for Starting a New Job

I’ve started 7 new jobs in my career. Here are 7 things I wish I knew each time: 👉 1. Forget about all of this Game-of-Thrones-stakeholder mapping stuff. Talk with as many people as you can. Internal, external, senior, not-so-senior, new-hire or long timer. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨. 👉 2. Read The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. It taught me how to understand others based on their background and context. And never to make assumptions about anything. As a good friend says: 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙬-𝙪𝙥𝙨. 👉 3. There will be this annoying voice in our head - ‘You’re gonna fail, is it 𝘕𝘖𝘞 that you’re gonna be found out’. When this happens, read your offer letter aloud. You got it for a reason. 𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 👉 4. Ask questions and listen. Just listen. I know this voice in our head tells us we SHOULD add value from the outset. But no one really ever does that. If they try, 8 out of 10 times they screw up. 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮 ‘𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝’? 👉 5. Have a plan, not about HOW but WHAT you want to achieve. ‘Strategy is just a sense of direction around which you can improvise ‘ (Peter Drucker). Knowing the WHAT grounds you, shows others the direction, even if the HOW needs to change at some point. 𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙠, 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙘, 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙠𝙞𝙣. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣. 👉 6. Treat the ‘powerful’ people like the humans they are. They have a different title but want the same things as us. Being heard, having an impact and working for a greater purpose. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 👉 7. Bring your freshness of thinking, your ideas. That’s the best way to help yourself and the team you joined. It may bring them some anxiety, but they hired you for that. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨, 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮. What are some other tips you would give others for starting a new job? 

Landing a new job is exciting—but it’s also a reset. For my clients stepping into new roles, it often means meeting new people, navigating a new culture, and establishing their brand all over again. Even if you were a rock star in your last organization, your new colleagues don’t know that. And what made you shine before may not fully align with your new responsibilities. So, how can you make the right impression and set yourself up for success? 1. Listen first, speak second. Take time to understand the culture, key priorities, and dynamics before offering bold solutions. Observing and asking thoughtful questions shows respect and builds trust. 2. Clarify expectations early. Don’t assume your role is exactly as outlined in the job description. Ask your manager what success looks like in the first 90 days, six months, and beyond. 3. Build relationships strategically. Identify key stakeholders and connect with them early. Show curiosity about their work and ask how you can support their goals. Strong alliances are built on mutual understanding and trust. 4. Show, don’t just tell. Actions speak louder than résumés. Start delivering small wins that demonstrate your value. Over time, your reputation will grow naturally. 5. Adapt and evolve. Be open to learning new ways of working and adjusting your style. Flexibility signals that you’re not just bringing old habits but are ready to contribute in new ways. Starting a new role is a unique opportunity to reinvent and reintroduce yourself. What’s the first impression you want to leave? How do you ensure you get off on the right foot in a new job?

Navigating Your New Role: A 6-Point Preflight Checklist for the First 90 Days Starting a new job can be both exciting and daunting. As the saying goes, "you only get one chance to make a first impression." That's why the first 90 days in a new role are so crucial - it's your opportunity to learn the ropes, build key relationships, and lay the groundwork for long-term success. Just like a pilot goes through a meticulous preflight checklist before takeoff, new employees would be wise to adopt a similarly structured approach to getting oriented in their new environment. By systematically working through key areas of discovery in the first few months, you can ensure you have the necessary information, connections, and context to hit the ground running. Here are the key elements to include in your "preflight checklist" for the first 90 days: Organization Structure and Stakeholders Understand the organizational hierarchy, reporting lines, and key decision-makers. Identify the major internal and external stakeholders you'll need to work with, and map out the formal and informal communication channels. Culture and Values Observe the dominant work styles, behaviors, and unwritten rules. Understand the organization's mission, vision, and core values. Identify any cultural norms, traditions, or rituals that are important to know. Processes and Systems Learn the standard operating procedures, policies, and workflows. Become familiar with the key tools, technologies, and software used. Understand the decision-making process and any approval requirements. Role and Responsibilities Clearly define your objectives, key performance indicators, and success metrics. Identify your core responsibilities, as well as any ambiguity or gray areas. Understand how your role fits into the bigger picture and contributes to the organization's goals. Relationships and Networks Build rapport and trust with your immediate team and manager. Introduce yourself and connect with key cross-functional partners. Identify potential mentors, sponsors, or champions who can provide guidance. Challenges and Opportunities Recognize any ongoing issues, pain points, or areas for improvement. Identify quick wins or low-hanging fruit where you can add immediate value. Understand the obstacles, constraints, or organizational inertia you may face. By working through this "preflight checklist" in a disciplined way, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the new organization and environment. This will allow you to hit the ground running, make a strong first impression, and set the stage for long-term success and impact. The key is to be observant, ask questions, and take the time to thoroughly understand the lay of the land before jumping into major initiatives or changes. Treat this onboarding period as a critical investment in your future with the organization. So fasten your seatbelt, double-check your instruments, and get ready for a smooth takeoff in your new role!

Advice on how to be most impactful when joining a new company/team. 𝗧𝗟𝗗𝗥: maximize your output/noise ratio from day 1. I've hired hundreds of people in my career and there's a clear pattern for those who successfully land and grow in a new company/team/org. 1) 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, not talking. Before offering opinions or suggestions, deeply understand the company, the problems being solved, what everyone is working on, the culture. Research, read, listen. Make sure everything you do creates minimum interruption and maximum value. Submit a PR on your first day. 2) 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁, 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲. Make decisions with data. Identify problems and solve them. No one likes people who only bring problems. If you see something broken, fix it without anyone needing to notice. 3) 𝗕𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆. You almost never need to claim credit for anything. Let the results speak for themselves. Always empower others. 4) 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽, 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Have an idea for solving a problem? Great, go do it and come back with results + data. No one wants to work with a random idea generator. 5) 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. Ask for constructive criticism on how you can do better. Adopt a mindset of continuous learning. Thank people who give you hard truths. 6) 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿. If you commit to a deadline, treat it as sacred. Do whatever it takes to deliver. 7) 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼. Understand your strengths and the company's gaps, then fill them proactively. 8) 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ask yourself every week: what did I ship? How can I ship more next week? 9) 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. Don't rely on others to teach you or do things for you. Figure it out. 10) 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲. Just solve problems. 11) 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁. Learn how to work with anyone. 12) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Not everything needs to be "fixed" just because it's different from your last company. 13) 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆. Different companies value different communication styles, meeting cultures, and decision-making processes. 14) 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀. Especially early on, share progress and raise flags early. 15) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Find ways to make everyone else more effective. Share your learnings. 16) 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. Don't burn energy with excessive back-and-forth. Be honest and set expectations correctly from the start. What would you add to this list? What's worked for you when joining a new team? #CareerAdvice

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗼𝗯? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟵𝟬-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 The first 90 days in a new role set the tone for your long-term impact. It’s not just about proving yourself—it’s about listening, learning, and integrating effectively. But here’s something people don’t always talk about: 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. If you assume everything will fall into place, you risk misunderstandings that can lead to frustration, poor perception, or even premature departure. In startups especially, onboarding can be minimal or nonexistent, meaning you have to take ownership of your success from day one. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁: 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟯𝟬 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 • Observe company culture—how decisions are made and communicated. • Clarify expectations with your manager: What does success look like? • Build relationships by setting up 1:1s with key stakeholders. • Ask thoughtful questions about team goals, past challenges, and priorities. • Stay organized—document key learnings and track early tasks. 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝟯𝟭-𝟲𝟬: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 & 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 • Identify quick wins—small but impactful ways to improve efficiency. • Align with company goals—understand how your work contributes to the bigger picture. • Deepen cross-functional relationships—collaborate with teams beyond your own. • Seek feedback early and adjust—show you’re open to learning and growth. 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝟲𝟭-𝟵𝟬: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 • Start leading initiatives or taking on bigger responsibilities. • Build credibility by delivering high-quality work and following through on commitments. • Learn beyond your role—understand business strategy, market trends, and financials. • Continue seeking feedback and refining your approach. • Set long-term goals with your manager—discuss career growth opportunities. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚. Come in with a plan, but also with an open mind to embrace and adapt. Trust is built over time, and how you show up through both the peaks and valleys will define your impact. But don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for direction. Be proactive, take ownership, and ensure your success. What’s your go-to strategy for starting a new role? Let’s discuss below.

Reset – Restart – Repeat! Starting afresh in a new organisation is hard. Even harder when you've got years of experience behind you. The strands of credibility you carefully built in your last job? Poof — gone. The confident, dependable you that everyone once relied on? In the new setup, you're a stranger. And frankly, no one cares — yet. I've done this dance five or six times now, across roles, levels, and cultures. Somewhere along the way, I built what I call my corporate muscle to reset, restart, and repeat. But let me be honest — it’s never smooth. The first hit always lands on the ego. Vanity follows. There’s no “flex” in the early days — just quiet humility, a zipped mouth, and the patience to let your strengths show rather than tell. The upside? You build an immunity — to systems, structures, and surprises. You learn to decode ambiguity. You build muscles in navigating messiness. And most importantly, you keep adding tools to your corporate survival kit. 💡 A few tips if you're starting over: 1. Map the organisation. Know the people before you figure out the process. Understanding who does what (roughly) is half the job. 2. Ask questions — lots of them. Not to impress. To understand. Control isn't about having answers — it’s about knowing which questions matter. 3. Get to know the operating teams. The movers and doers. My best lessons as a PM came from customer service, ops, tech, and data teams. These allies become your ecosystem — and your secret sauce. 4. Offer help. Let people experience your best side before they hear your CV. Going a little out of your way early on? Often remembered. Always respected. 5. Let your work speak first. Buy yourself settling time. Let the system see what you bring to the table before you start rearranging the cutlery. 🚫 And what not to do: 1. Don’t wear fear on your sleeve. It's okay to be unsure. Just carry quiet confidence. 2. Don’t lead with what you lack. Lead with your ability to figure it out. 3. Don’t get discouraged too quickly. Not everything will go your way. That’s not failure. That’s onboarding in disguise. Every reset builds resilience. Every restart expands your range. Every repeat strengthens your foundation. And somewhere in the middle of it all — You quietly reinvent yourself. One reset at a time. 💼✨ #Leadershipmusings #dailywriting

On Monday, I had my first day at LinkedIn, and I felt some butterflies—the kind that signal you’re stepping into something new, exciting, and a little unknown.  48 hours in, I wanted to share 3 reflections that might resonate with anyone navigating the start of a new job or role. 3 Takeaways for Starting a New Role 1. Get Crystal Clear on the Why, the How, and the What Pay attention to how the company presents its Why (Vision), How (Values), and What (Operations). Words matter—at least they should. Listen closely to how long-tenured employees describe the mission and how the business model supports it. When conversations lean toward abstract concepts, seek to remove ambiguity by asking for concrete examples. (For instance, if someone says, “We want to earn trust,” and it's ambiguous about what that actually means, ask what that looks like in practice at this company.).  You should walk away with a good feel for why the company exists, some concrete examples of what the standard is around a small set of values and – no matter your role – you should understand the company’s business model. Why does this matter?   Because at its core, a company is defined by what its people do and how they do it—a company is not its office space or logo or the award it just won – those are outputs or decisions.  It’s easy to get distracted from the core foundations, don’t miss the opportunity to get clear and concrete on them in your first few days. 2. Start Building Relationships Early The best work happens when relationships are built on trust and an assumption of good intent. I approach my work believing that my teammates are smart and are coming from a positive place, and I hope  that to be reciprocated. This foundation creates the space to engage in honest debate, healthy conflict, and meaningful resolutions. But trust isn’t automatic. Build it by asking questions, finding common ground, and showing some vulnerability. During onboarding, go beyond your immediate team and connect across functions. Be curious and ask for advice—it’s a simple way to learn something, and demonstrate that you value others’ expertise. Vulnerability builds trust and opens the door to authentic connections, which will set the stage for real discussions that get to the heart of the matter. 3. Share Genuine Thanks Many people likely played a role in helping you get here. Before the daily grind takes over, take a moment to express gratitude—to family, friends, mentors, or even folks you met during the interview process. Pro tip: Keep this practice going beyond your first weeks.  On my first day at LinkedIn, I observed how many people—security, IT, cleaning staff—work, often behind the scenes, to make sure my teammates and I can do our jobs better. Recognize their contributions. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of different parts of an organization.  How do you approach the first days in a new role? Share your thoughts and tips below—I’d love to hear them!

How do you get ready to start a new remote job? 🤔 Starting a new job is always exciting, but doing it remotely brings its own unique challenges. Here’s how I’m prepping for my first day (next week!) and hopefully, these tips help others in the same boat: 1️⃣ Rearranging My Space: I love channeling my inner pre-teen by moving around my office furniture. It’s like when we used to rearrange our bedrooms for a fresh vibe! This time, instead of shifting a hot pink blow-up chair, I’m finding a new spot for my desk. 🛋 Changing up my Zoom background (with real decor, not digital!) is also a fun way to keep things exciting and authentic. 2️⃣ Setting Up My Laptop: I always make sure my laptop is ready to go ahead of time. Thankfully, Sound sent everything in advance, so I could set up my new laptop and be ready to hit the ground running on day one! 💻 If you're switching from Mac to PC (or vice versa), it can be a bit of a learning curve. Even though I’m familiar with both, I still find it helpful to brush up on keyboard shortcuts and navigation—my fingers definitely notice the change! A quick YouTube tutorial can make the transition smoother. 3️⃣ Blocking Off My Personal Time: As soon as I get access to my calendar, I block off my personal time before others start booking meetings. 📆 I make sure to set aside time for school drop-offs/pick-ups, lunch, and breaks. This helps me avoid starting with an overwhelming calendar and ensures I have space for my personal needs and well-being. 4️⃣ Reviewing Benefits and Preparing Questions: I also take the time to review my benefits package and come prepared with any clarifying questions for onboarding. 🗒 Although in the U.S., we have 30 days to enroll in benefits (legally), I prefer to enroll as soon as I’ve made a decision. This avoids delays in receiving ID cards and ensures I'm covered for any upcoming appointments. (Protip 💡 : I recommend rescheduling regular or non-emergency appointments during the first few weeks of coverage just in case there are administrative issues during enrollment—this can help avoid last-minute charges for cancellations.) 5️⃣ Taking a Moment for Myself: Lastly, I make sure to take a moment to catch my breath. 💆♀️ It’s important to recognize that I did it—I found a new opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise. Facing imposter syndrome is tough, but I remind myself: "I did it." Maybe I’m nervous or anxious, but I’ve accomplished this, and that’s worth celebrating. What do you do to get ready for a new job, especially when starting remotely? I’d love to hear your suggestions and any tips you might have! Drop them in the comments below! 👇

Job seekers: Start your new role by making deposits, not withdrawals. I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about trust and credibility. Years ago, a mentor of mine, Shaun Bradley, shared a simple but powerful truth: relationships are built on deposits - the things we do that build trust, demonstrate care, and show alignment. The more deposits we make, the more relationship capital we have to draw on when challenges arise. This is especially important when you start a new job. In your first six months, focus on building trust. Invest your time and energy into your role, your teammates, and your reputation. This not only enhances your trajectory in the organization but also insulates you when mistakes inevitably happen. And when they do, the trust you’ve built can be the difference between a mistake being seen as an anomaly or as a trend. Remember, you can’t control everything. But you can control how you invest your energy. And the best investment you can make is in building trust and credibility from day one.

You don’t need to be perfect in a new job. You need to be present, thoughtful, and clear. Here’s what to avoid and what to double down on: So what holds people back? First, let’s clarify what not to do: - Skip events that help build your name - Stay quiet out of fear of being wrong - Say yes to everything just to fit in - Gossip or get pulled into politics - Resist new ideas or feedback - Use your phone as a shield - Call people out in public Here’s what actually builds success: - Say yes to growth - Join new projects actively - Be kind, calm, and consistent - Send a short Friday check-in to stay clear - Ask questions, share notes, follow up often - Help before you’re asked, it builds trust fast - Let your work speak, be early, present, clear If you want to stand out in your new role, lead with: ✔️ Effort ✔️ Energy ✔️ Empathy ➟ People remember how you made them feel. ➟ Small moves create big trust. ➟ Great work is more than output, it’s presence. Show up like you belong. Because you do. P.S. What’s one move that helped you shine in a new role? ♻️ Save this for your next first day. 👑 Follow for more real-world career tools.