3 min read
Your first weeks in a new team
Getting to know new colleagues gradually, one conversation at a time.
One person at a time
You don't need to meet everyone in the first week. Aim for one real conversation a day, and in a month you'll know most of the people who matter to your work.
One-to-one conversations suit you better than big team lunches, so seek them out.
Curiosity is your advantage
Being new gives you a perfect reason to ask questions. People enjoy explaining how things work and what they care about.
Say: I'm still finding my feet. What do you wish someone had told you in your first week?
Say: How long have you been here? What's kept you?
Say: What are you working on at the moment?
Say: Who else do you think I should get to know?
Say: Would you be up for a coffee sometime this week? I'd love to hear how your team works.
Small, regular moments
Relationships at work are built in small moments: saying good morning, asking how a weekend was, remembering what someone told you last week.
These take little energy and add up quickly.
Team events
For larger social events, set a simple goal, like a good conversation with two colleagues you haven't spoken to much. Once you've done that, it's fine to head home.