Common mistakes you do when you start a new job

Gone are the days where an employee works for a single company throughout his lifetime. For various personal and professional reasons, shifting to a new company has become very common these days. With new hopes, new goals, and new people around, we are more enthusiastic to prove our abilities and outperform others.

While our intent is clear, our enthusiasm sometimes becomes extreme and counter-productive. Few impressions about us in the initial stages can strongly stay in people’s minds. So, it is important to avoid some mistakes in the initial stages.

Here are some of the most common mistakes we do:

a) Saying ‘I KNOW’ FOR EVERYTHING: It is good to know things, but sometimes we are very enthusiastic that we dominate others. Or people might simply think of you as a "know-it-all".

b) Becoming a ‘Yes Man’: Saying yes for everything comes into notice quickly. And sometimes, we don’t want to hurt anyone and so try to say Yes to their points, even if they are wrong, due to which we might be taken for granted.

c) Bringing Previous Organizations' strategies: Previous organization strategies may or may not go well in the current company, but without understanding that, we blindly implement them. Also, some may take credit for the ideas implemented in the previous organization. As a result, expectations rise and any deviation disappoints others.

d) Giving Judgements hastily: Every team has its back-story. The team members behave in a specific manner based on their own behavior and the impact of previous experiences. Some of these may look wrong, for which we immediately start giving suggestions, without understanding the context.

e) Taking sides: Companies generally have groups and everyone tries to make the new employees part of their group. You take one’s side a bit early becomes deadly, especially if they are not the right ones.

f) Failing to understand others' behavior: Adapting to others’ behavioral style and responding accordingly is very important these days, but takes time. Are we responding based on that?

Some of them are not actually mistakes, but in the context of the new team, they are perceived to be mistakes subsequently affecting us. Overall, it is important for everyone to understand the nuances of the new team and adapting to it wisely

So, make sure you are realistic in your approach. Remember that the new company has considered you because you are talented and eligible for the work to be assigned. Be confident about your work, showcase your abilities, and accept your weaknesses. As time passes, you can overcome these weaknesses.

Even though the tasks look similar, every company has its ways of doing work and handling its clients. Rather than implementing your previous company’s strategies, understand the new company’s strategies and slowly add value through your previous learning and come up with a better and amalgamated version

Before giving suggestions in a discussion or conversations related to others' behavior, make sure you understand the situation clearly, and then keep your points. Ensure others are taking your points constructively. In case others become insecure, go slow, and look for the right people and the right opportunities.

Try not to become a part of any group. Forming Groups or Groupism exists in many companies and you separate yourself from others by joining a group. Make sure you are cordial with everyone.

Understand people’s behavior before you judge them. Be emotionally intelligent in handling others. Avoid judging others based on the first few impressions and give the benefit of the doubt.

End of the day, it is important for you to achieve your goals and work on what you missed in your previous organization. Focus on what needs to be achieved, acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and grow.

Also Read: Negativity Bias in Corporates