SPILL: Your Go-To ‘New Person’ Move

Every new job comes with fleeting first-day jitters, but feeling fully at ease and equipped to contribute to a new work environment can take days, if not weeks. What’s the secret to hitting the ground running? We asked lawyers: When you’re the ‘new person’ in a workplace, role or team, what’s your go-to move that helps you settle in and start strong? Below are the tricks and tactics they’ve deployed to smooth this transition.

Be Curious

“When I’m the new person, I make it a point to have informal coffee chats with colleagues. I call it a ‘curiosity tour’. It’s basically a mix of learning how things work and getting to know who people are beyond their job titles. The idea is to get to know not only the official processes but to understand the unwritten rules, the team’s dynamics and people in general.

During those chats, I always ask two things:

1. What should I know to survive and thrive around here? Or what's something about this place that only makes sense after you've been here a while?
2. Do you have time to have a life after work, and what do you do for fun?

People appreciate being heard, and it helps to develop professional and personal rapport with people much faster. So, my advice: Be genuinely curious about the work and the people, and don’t pretend to be a ‘know-it-all’, at least, during the first month.” - Elena Mamay, Mann Lawyers

Be Attentive

“I take note of a new colleague’s name and a couple of things about them that they have shared with me.  When we speak again, I try to repeat those things about them so I can remember those details and also let them know I was listening.” - Amelia Phillips Robbins, Blaney McMurtry LLP

Be Social

“I always try to meet people by the coffee/tea stations and have casual chats to get a lay of the land. People are willing to share or not share at those moments. It’s a good opportunity to introduce myself as well and find the human connection outside of formal structures of the work place meetings and interactions.” - Lotus Menezes, Lotus Menezes Law Professional Corporation

Be Informed

“Whenever I've taken on a new role, one of my first steps is to chat with someone who's somewhat recently come before me. Find someone who's just far enough ahead of where you are that they have some insights on how to succeed, but still close enough that they remember what it was like being in your position. Set up a coffee or a short meeting. Chat with them about their experience. The chances are pretty good that you'll walk away with some new ideas on how to thrive in your new role.” - Alexander Evangelista, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP 

Be Inquisitive … and Be Balanced

“In addition to the people get know the ways of the department. What are the processes? What are the expectations of juniors? What are the expectations in hours? Do you have a clerk? Does the team keep running file lists? Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know the answer, people are typically more than happy to provide you with information

“Also, set a routine early. By what time are you going to aim to be home?  What is your routine when you get home? Are you doing things to disconnect from your work when you leave the office?  To disconnect, are you changing from your work clothes into ‘home clothes’ and leaving your device in your bag unless something urgent comes up? Find something to fulfill you outside of your work – maybe this is exercise, a hobby, an organization or club, being involved in the non legal community.” - Dawson Somerville, Buset LLP

Be Yourself

“I find having something personal to me, like photos or art, in my office or workspace helps me feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting, and it often sparks conversation with new team members. I also like to be intentional in sharing something about my life outside of work and discovering something about my team members’ lives outside of work. Personal connections help make any transition easier.” - Sheila Morris, Miller Thomson LLP

Be Confident

“I keep a send-off card from my last team on my desk. It reminds me of where I started, how far I’ve come, and the opportunity I have to make an impact in my current role.” - Ambertari Cape, University of Western Law

Be Kind

“If there is room for kindness, choose kindness. You are defined by what you say and do. Use your words and actions to build others up and foster a positive team dynamic. Be kind, be clear, and understand that you won’t please everyone, but you can always lead with kindness.” - Ningjing (Natalie) Zhang Ph.D. J.D., BridgePoint Law Professional Corporation