Starting a New Role? Avoid These Traps

 have changed roles more than a dozen times in order to increase my income and grow my reputation. My Scared Self says I can’t hold a job, or I am not responsible for being bored. I have led my Scared Self to — and through — some interesting and exciting roles and locations. Here, I share some potential new role traps (and how to avoid them).

What Are the Traps?

Free of the concerns from the last role, I think the concerns of the new role can be easily solved using what I already know. That’s the first trap. When the recruiter has shared all that needs to be fixed, I accept that story and see everything as broken. This is trap two.

Too many arrive on the scene with “The Answer” — a preordained fix for the organization’s problems — or they reach conclusions too early in their tenure. – Michael D. Watkins

When I notice I am making up these stories on the spot, I toss myself the line “Where are the ‘new role’ traps I fall into?” If I don’t toss the line, the stories become a filter through which I see my new role.

How to Avoid the Traps

Rather than assuming I can solve the problems using what I already know, I  start by telling myself “I don’t know what I don’t know." After all, I have had to learn new knowledge in every role I have ever had.

This triggers my curiosity to meet and build trust with those who may know what I don’t know. I realize their scared selves are telling them to be cautious and not trust me. I accept. I too am working to figure out who is trustworthy, so I immediately start my Macklin Method conversations and toss lines.

To avoid the other trap, instead of focusing on what the recruiter said was broken, I look for the areas my new teammates are really good at and ask them what needs to be fixed, and I listen. I then assist them in mastering their skills so that we can all be successful.  

When I notice new managers jumping to conclusions, or see others in new roles falling into traps, I toss the line “Where are the ‘new role’ traps you may fall into?” and share some of my painful learning experiences.

Want to learn more tips like these? Enroll in an upcoming MacklinConnection Workshop.

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