Establishing your authority in a positive way

I have mixed feelings about changing the location that I work at. I am always excited about a new challenge, but it’s basically like starting over again. You spend so much time teaching and grooming your employees for success, and then you move on to start over from scratch.

I have personally changed locations with my current employer three times. And each time I find myself starting over, spreading my message again and again. It can be both challenging and rewarding.

The initial part is the hardest, and that is establishing your authority. How you bring yourself in and your actions over the first few weeks is key to your success or failure. Everyone will be watching your every move and trying to get a feed on you.

That’s why how you act is so important. You must establish that you are a firm but fair person who will be your mentor but not your friend. If you have problems at your current work location, a change of scenery is the perfect opportunity to start over.

Think about sports, for example. A lot of times a professional sports player is down in the dumps with his current team. Many times a change to a different team helps him make a total 180. This is also true in the business world.

I have found that the best thing to do initially is to not say much. I like to spend most of my first two weeks observing. A wise man once said to go through life with your mouth shut and your ears and eyes open. Truer advice has never been spoken.

There are only a very few select things you should be saying at this point. Initially, you want to just make sure you speak to everyone you see and start learning about who they are and what they do. Have generalized conversations with them, based on the information they volunteer to you.

Some good examples would be:

How do you like working in this department?

What are your short and long term career goals?

Do you enjoy working here?

This will not only gain the respect of your associates by showing that you care, but will also provide you with invaluable information about your new workplace. With your eyes and ears you will learn everything you need to know, or maybe some things that you didn't want to know.

Gathering information comes first. You may want to take notes on what you hear and see. After you feel comfortable in your new workplace, then comes the time to act on what you have learned. Hold meetings and establish your expectations. Then follow up by making your presence known and keeping an open door for any feedback or potential problems you may face.

After all, the people side of business is the most important part. You can crunch numbers like a pro, but if you don’t have any people skills, then you will sink fast.
Take the time to learn what makes your people tick, and you will be rewarded with loyal and productive employees.