Starting a New Job? Here's a 90-Day Plan from Harvard

TL;DR

Learn four actionable tips to help new hires build credibility and reach their break-even point in their first three months on the job.

Transcript

the goal for new hires is to get to the break-even point as quickly as possible and according to Dr Michael Watkins former professor at Harvard Business School and author of the bestseller of the first 90 days the break-even point is when you have produced as much value as you have received from your new team or organization this concept was new to... Read More

Key Insights

• 😮 The goal for new hires is to reach the break-even point quickly, where the value they produce matches what they receive from the team or organization.
• 💡 Common traps new hires fall into include sticking to what they know, doing too much too fast, and setting unrealistic expectations.
• 🔄 Kicking off a virtual cycle is crucial in the early days of a new job, where making good initial decisions builds trust and accelerates learning.
• 🎯 Understanding blind spots is key - new hires often fail by relying on their past skills and not adapting to their new role's requirements.
• 📝 An onboarding checklist helps new hires minimize the negative impact of their blind spots, including understanding hidden cultural norms.
• 💡 Accelerate learning by systematically focusing on the top three to five areas that align with your learning agenda, based on standardized questions.
• 💼 Negotiating success with your boss is crucial for setting realistic expectations and building a strong foundation for success.
• 🏆 Securing early wins with colleagues is important in building momentum and creating a positive first impression by asking thoughtful questions, adapting to cultural norms, and achieving realistic commitments.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can new hires avoid falling into common traps when starting a new job?

New hires can avoid common traps by being aware of the pitfalls, such as sticking with what they know, doing too much too fast, and setting unrealistic expectations. Instead, they should focus on making good initial decisions and building trust with colleagues to create a positive cycle.

Q: What is the importance of understanding blind spots as a new hire?

Understanding blind spots is essential for new hires because it helps them recognize areas where they may lack skills or knowledge. By identifying blind spots, new hires can take appropriate actions to address them and ensure their success in the new role.

Q: How can new hires systematically accelerate their learning?

New hires can accelerate their learning by creating a learning agenda that includes standardized questions to ask during the onboarding process. This helps prioritize the areas to focus on and guides the gathering of information, testing hypotheses, and adapting behaviors.

Q: Why is it important to negotiate success with your boss as a new hire?

Negotiating success with your boss sets clear expectations and helps define the metrics of success for the new role. By discussing and agreeing upon these metrics, new hires can align their goals with their manager's expectations and track their progress effectively.

Q: How can new hires secure early wins with their colleagues?

New hires can secure early wins by focusing on actions that build momentum and make a positive first impression. This includes asking thoughtful questions, observing and adapting to cultural norms, and making realistic commitments and achieving them. Building rapport and demonstrating competence are key to winning over colleagues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Common traps new hires fall into when starting a new job include sticking with what they know, doing too much too fast, and setting unrealistic expectations.

• Understanding blind spots and taking appropriate actions is crucial for success in a new role.

• Developing a learning agenda, negotiating success with your boss, and securing early wins with colleagues are key strategies for building credibility as a new hire.