Expect to become disenchanted with any new situation and new associates. Most of us start new working relationships by showing only our best side. Sooner or later, we expose the negative side, too. No new experience stays as bright and shiny and exciting as it is when it’s brand-new. You are less likely to be deeply disappointed when you understand this ahead of time. Expect to uncover new information and use it to make decisions about how to manage in your new environment.
- Nancy noticed that the mature, reasonable boss she thought she was working for sometimes got flustered, raised her voice and became extremely impatient.
- Mac discovered that the work was far more complicated than he thought it would be. He was soon missing deadlines and getting negative feedback.
- Marianne discovered that you couldn’t be one of the crowd if you didn’t go out for a beer after work on Friday.
You may feel disoriented and angry and when this information comes to light. You know it isn’t as wonderful as you expected it to be. Now you have a choice about whether to figure out how to manage this new environment, or you can complain about it. The first rule of adapting is to figure out whether the problem is something you can manage on your own or whether you’ll need help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
- If you know what to do, do it on a regular basis.
- If you don’t know what to do, decide who is most likely to be able to help you in your situation. A good place to start is with the person with whom you seem to have a problem.
- Before you ask for something to change, ask for clarification about the situation. Emphasize your desire to do a good job and request that person’s to help so that you can meet his or her expectations.
You can usually work things out and create satisfactory relationships in your new environment. However if you discover that, for whatever reason, you can’t make it work, then the best thing to do is to explain that accepting the position was a mistake. Do this as soon as possible. This gives you and others a chance to regroup and recover with as little damage as possible.
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