Servant Leadership Workplace-New Job

6 New Job Tips for Servant-Leaders

Got that new job? Congratulations!

Here are 6 new job tips for servant-leaders that could be valuable for you.

  1. Keep humble. People often feel a little insecure when they start a new job. Or the need to prove themselves quickly. Don’t worry, that’s only natural. Unfortunately, however, both feelings can lead to behavior that puts others off. The truly confident – those with nothing to prove – are usually the most humble.
  2. Listen deeply. Listening is a key practice of servant leadership. And there is no better time to listen than when starting a new job. In a new company? Listen to more than specific individuals – listen to what the entire culture is telling you. In a new department of your old company? Don’t assume you know everything. In any event, deep listening should serve you well.
  3. Ask lots of good questions. In most cases, you aren’t expected to know everything when you start a new job. You have a nice opportunity, therefore, to ask lots of questions (some of which you might not be able to ask later). Don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability. Remember, servant-leaders are judged as much by their ability to ask questions as by their ability to give answers.
  4. Withdraw and reflect. “Drinking from a fire hose.” I’ve felt that way more than once after starting a new job. Things often come at you fast. It’s easy to make mistakes. So, slow down. Break away regularly from the rush of events. Give yourself some time to withdraw and reflect on how things are going. Ask yourself, what’s going well? What could be going better? How do my new colleagues perceive me?
  5. Initiate great relationships. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Be at your most mindful when you meet new colleagues. Listen to them; ask them good questions; learn about them as whole people, not just co-workers. For better or worse, the early days of relationships can be foundational for many workdays later.
  6. Serve first. Even if you were recognized as a servant-leader in your old job, your past record of serving may not precede you. Therefore, make serving an immediate priority. Doing so may be the best way to initiate great relationships. As a servant-leader in a new job, serve first – the time to lead will come soon enough.

What do you think? Are there new job tips for servant-leaders that you would add to the list?

As always, we appreciate your views.