Last month, I began a new job. However, this transition is different than new positions I’ve had in the past because I’m still serving at the same church but in a different capacity. The biggest change might be the fact that when I meet with the teams I now find myself leading, I don’t know all the faces, and I certainly don’t know all the names. The four and a half years I’ve spent as a pastor in our church means that I’m not starting from scratch when it comes to building relational capital, but I’ll still need to invest a significant amount of time in the people on my (new) teams to gain their trust and earn the right to influence them. If you’re in the same boat and find yourself leading in a new role, here are four things that can help you get started on the right foot:
Listen. You’ve got experience, you’ve got fresh eyes, and you’ve got a pretty good idea what needs to change to make the teams or organization you’re leading more effective. Make sure you take the time to first listen to the folks who have been around for more than a few minutes. Even if you know you’ll make changes that many of those people will disagree with, by genuinely listening to them you’ll communicate that you value and care for them.
Identify and clarify the roadblocks. Whether you’re stepping into an organization that is healthy or things are a mess, chances are you were chosen to help the organization go further in some way. Assuming the people you lead are generally on board with the purpose and mission of your organization (see the next point if they are not), ask them to help you identify the major ways the organization is “stuck.” It will help you quickly rally your team around specific problems that need to be solved.
Make it clear what you’re looking for in team members. In even the smoothest of transitions, mission and vision can get lost in the process. Communicate clearly why your team or organization exists, and let people know that to be on the team means to be committed to that purpose. It may result in some tough conversations, but it’s better to have those conversations now than months or even years down the road.
Have fun. If you’re like me, when you start a new position you’re eager to get to work. Don’t forget that your team will be far more effective if they like each other and like their leader (that’s you). Make time to spend some enjoyable time with your new team members. You may not get a ton of “work” done, but you’ll be preparing your team to do some great work and make a difference as you get started in your new role.
