Just as we become habituated to a country’s culture — we know the “right answer” when someone asks us how we’re doing, or which topics are off-limits with casual acquaintances — the same thing happens in corporate life. We develop an unwritten understanding of how interactions should go, and it can be jarring when we trip across unexpected fault lines.
Navigating a New Job with a Very Different Culture
Four strategies to help ease the transition.
January 15, 2020
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Summary.
We often assume that if we’re successful at one company, that will automatically translate to another. But even small cultural differences can add up and create a cascade of misunderstanding, damaging your ability to succeed at your new job. The author offers four strategies to help ease your transition to a new company culture: 1) Start by soliciting opinions before offering your own. 2) Recognize that a mandate for change has limits. 3) Identify a “cultural mentor. 4) Control your narrative.