26: The New Guy

Historically, I haven’t been a great “new guy.” People that have gotten to know me would probably commend me for being eager, ambitious, and attracted to the spotlight. But as I’ve transitioned into new environments in the past, these same three qualities have often upset the apple cart.

For example, entering middle school as a pubescent kid jockeying for popularity, I found myself beat up in the hallway by a guy who had to “put that Janiec kid in his place.” Nevertheless, I was able bounce back to restore my reputation through the remainder of middle school, and I thought I had learned my lesson…

Until my freshman year of high school when I found myself beat up again in a different hallway by a different kid for the same basic reason. Nevertheless, I was able to bounce back to build lasting relationships through the remainder of high school, and I thought I had learned my lesson…

Until my freshman year while pledging Pike at Penn State when I ruffled some feathers by trying to put my stamp on the house before gaining the respect and credibility of the older fraternity brothers. Nevertheless, I was able to bounce back to positively impact the frat through the remainder of college, and I thought I had learned my lesson…

Until I entered the corporate world as a Vanguard intern when I attempted to win over my fellow peers with a memorable presentation at our Capstone Event. I deviated from the norms of professional presence by performing my presentation in poetic form for an audience of leaders throughout the organization. Needless to say, I was not accepted to the Accelerated Development Program upon graduation. Nevertheless, I was able to bounce back and advance through my own career path, and I thought I had learned my lesson…

Until I entered my first leadership position two years ago when I tried to make an immediate impact and adjust the way we did things in my first week on the job. Instead, I ran into walls of resistance because I lacked the credibility, context, and relationships to enable the changes that I tried to make. Nevertheless, over the two years of leadership within the department, I gradually bounced back to cultivate the relationships and deliver the impact that I initially intended. I think it was about time that I officially learned my lesson once and for all.

After screwing up these transitions the way I did, enough was enough. I vowed to be a great “new guy,” and start my next transition by building a foundation instead of digging a hole. I looked back and tried to find the common thread between all of the times I jacked up this crucial period of first impressions and foundational knowledge. Then, I did a little reading and reflecting.

In the book, The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins, I learned three things that improved my next set of transitions.

1. Build trust (Connect with others and earn credibility before doing anything. Impact is rarely made alone.)

2. Become a student of the role and the environment (Don’t try to change something you don’t fully understand. You have to be ready for the environment and the environment has to be ready for you.)

3. Start with the basics to collect small wins (Strive to make a sustainable impact after your first year instead of trying to make an immediate impact in your first week.)

With these lessons in mind, I’ve since nailed the ultimate transitions as a new husband, a new homeowner, and a new dad!

Now, I’m the new guy once again as I begin my new role in a new division at Vanguard. I’m only 7 days into my first 90 and I have a long way to go, but so far I’ve stuck to these fundamental principles as I entered my new environment. I’m committed to building trust with my teammates, my sales partner, and my clients before doing anything else. I’m dedicated to being a student of my role and my environment before attempting to make a significant impact. Finally, I’m prepared to take things day by day, so I can master the basics and collect small wins before trying to hit the home run. I’m asking you to keep me disciplined and hold me accountable.

How have these transitions gone for you as you’ve entered new environments? How do you approach being the new guy or girl? For the first time in my life, I’m ready to be the new guy. I hope I finally learned my lesson…