Starting a new job can be a significant challenge. While the job description provides a general framework of responsibilities, it rarely answers the most critical question: how to be successful. In most cases, it’s up to the individual to figure out what is truly needed to excel in their new role. Here are some key ideas to help you adapt successfully.
The challenge on learned behaviours
One of the most common reasons people fail to adapt to a new job is that they tend to apply the same practices, habits, and behaviors that made them successful in the past. It’s natural: if something worked before, why not repeat it? However, each new role brings different expectations and responsibilities, requiring a fresh approach.
Psychologist Edward Thorndike coined this phenomenon as the «Law of Effect,» which states that people tend to repeat behaviors that have been previously rewarded. However, to succeed in a new job, it is necessary to evaluate whether those behaviors remain relevant or if new skills and approaches are required.
Relationships and tasks: the two pilars of success
When we take on a new role, the key behaviors generally fall into two main areas: relationships with others and tasks, processes, and procedures.
Relationships with others («r»)
Success in a new job, especially in the first 90 days, largely depends on how you meet the expectations of the people around you. This includes how you interact with your colleagues, superiors, and team. Every action, decision, and reaction in this new environment shapes how others perceive you. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to how you communicate and relate to others, as you are, to a great extent, what others perceive of you.
Tasks, processes, and procedures («t»)
Leadership also involves executing tasks and guiding others to fulfill their responsibilities. Each task is different and requires a specific set of behaviors. The most effective leaders are those who can adapt their style and methods to meet the varying demands of each situation.
In fact, studies indicate that up to 75% of people who fail in a new job do so because they fail to identify the behaviors required for their new responsibilities.
What to do to succeed in a new job
Since both relationships and responsibilities change when taking on a new role, it is crucial to have a clear strategy for identifying and adjusting the necessary behaviors. Here are some practical steps:
- Evaluate new expectations: Analyze what the people around you—colleagues, superiors, and team members—expect from you. Understanding these expectations will allow you to adjust your behavior accordingly.
- Identify key competencies for each task: Each task in your new job requires a specific set of skills and behaviors. Make an inventory of the competencies expected of you and ensure you have the necessary resources to meet them.
- Use leadership assessment tools: Tools such as Reddin Assessments’ Managerial Requirements Profile help you identify the specific behaviors you need to succeed in your new role, both in terms of relationships and tasks.
Practice makes perfect
Success in any field, whether in business or sports, requires continuous practice. Just as a musician or elite athlete needs thousands of hours of practice to perfect their craft, leaders must continue practicing and improving even after achieving success.
Harvard Business School (HBS) case studies are a good example of how constant practice can improve decision-making and analytical abilities. Graduates of these programs excel in the business world because they have spent hours practicing how to tackle complex problems and resolve challenging situations. And just like in sports, the most successful leaders never stop practicing, much like footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who, despite his success, continues to train intensely to maintain his excellence.
Continuos improvement: key to success
Adopting a mindset of continuous improvement is crucial to maintaining effectiveness in your new job. Research has shown that those who are constantly open to improving and doing things differently are more likely to succeed. This approach not only enhances your ability to process information and solve problems but also sharpens your analytical thinking.
Feedback: the engine to growth
Feedback is an essential tool for improving performance. Knowing what you’re doing well and what could be improved allows you to adjust your approach and achieve better results. Effective leaders actively seek feedback and use it as a guide to keep growing and refining their skills.
Conclusion
Adapting to a new job requires more than simply repeating the behaviors that made you successful in the past. Identifying the new behaviors necessary for your role, practicing continuously, and seeking feedback are the keys to standing out. If you want to learn more about how to apply these principles in your career, our leadership development programs are designed to help you achieve your goals.
References
- Thorndike, E. L. (1932). The Fundamentals of Learning.
- Ericsson, A. (1993). The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance. Psychological Review.
