GatenbySanderson (GS) recently welcomed Rebekah Herz-Bauman, Partner in the Not-for-Profit practice and specialist in Arts, Culture and Heritage.
As someone in the early stages of a new position, Rebekah understands the challenges and share’s her six top tips and advice for getting up to speed in a new role below.
1. Start at the very beginning
Ahead of your new role, mentally prepare yourself, considering what the new role or organisation might look like, how it might feel, and the personal challenges you might need to overcome to make those first few days. Do your research online, get to grips with current and previous strategies, getting a sense of where the organisation has been, as well as its planned trajectory and if appropriate, ask for some intros ahead of starting.
Be comfortable with not knowing what you don’t know. In psychology, it’s rather labelled ‘unconscious incompetence’, but simply put, prepare yourself to be at a new level of learning in your new role or organisation. Whether starting in your first senior leadership, non-exec or CEO position, it’s important to use those all-important first few weeks to listen, learn, and soak up the information from as many sources as possible. I often say the currency which holds the most value to a new starter in any organisation is its institutional knowledge, so get to know colleagues, engage in those water cooler conversations, either on Teams chats or in person and learn as much as you can from your new team. For me, I’ve been overwhelmed by how much people are happy to help, guide and share.
2. Embracing the new and unknown
Starting a new job is exhilarating. There’s the excitement of new opportunities, fresh faces, and the chance to bring your skills to a different environment. But let’s be real, it can also be overwhelming. Walking into my first day at Gatenby Sanderson, it was natural to feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety – acknowledging these feelings is the first step to managing them. Remember, every new experience, no matter how daunting, is a chance to grow. Keep an open mind and be ready to adapt, learn and you will surely flourish!
3. The challenge of building new relationships
One of the hardest parts of moving to a new role is building relationships from scratch. Leaving behind a familiar team and stepping into a new one can feel like starting all over again. There’s the challenge of understanding new dynamics, personalities, and of course, workflows. Building effective relationships, establishing rapport and building mutual trust and respect is all a gradual process, but remember, your colleagues are building relationships with you, too, so everyone has that same goal of building bridges. If building new relationships is an area of growth for you, look at how others do it, observe and model their behaviour and soak up the culture of how colleagues interact and express themselves around you.
Take the initiative to introduce yourself and get to know your new colleagues. Joining in on team activities, grabbing a coffee, or even a friendly chat can help break the ice and build rapport.
At GS, I’ve found that the incredibly supportive and adaptive work culture has meant I’m already forging meaningful relationships – remember, strong relationships build an excellent working environment and prime you and your team for success.
4. Learning the ropes
Every organisation has its own way of doing things, and part of the challenge is getting up to speed with new systems, processes, and expectations. It can feel like trying to drink from a gushing tap, especially in the first few weeks.
At GatenbySanderson , I’ve found the support and guidance from my colleagues invaluable in navigating this learning curve. As I mentioned before, remember, learning is where everyone starts, and although challenging, it is an excellent opportunity for personal growth, renewal and refresh. Remember that even (and sometimes especially) in leadership positions, it’s ok to ask questions – direct reports will respect you for tapping into their institutional and personal knowledge and it builds those all-important relationships.
5. Balancing personal life and your new job
Starting a new job doesn’t just affect your professional life; it of course will make small waves in your personal life too. Balancing the demands of a new role with family, friends, and personal time can be tricky. Combine this with the stress of trying to prove yourself in your new position and it can easily feel overwhelming. Remember that it’s important to set boundaries and make time for yourself, to recharge and not let work consume all your energy. To help with this, I often schedule what I’m doing in my downtime outside of work – whether it’s a hobby, exercise, or just relaxing with loved ones, getting into a good routine and connecting you with your whole self is really important and means you give of your best at work and home.
In addition, when stepping into a leadership position, it’s important to set those boundaries to show to your team that you understand the value of this healthy balance. For me, GS truly lives its values of agile working, being there for our clients when needed and ensuring we are refreshed and ready to give of our best.
6. Finding your footing
There’s a period of adjustment where you’re trying to find your place in the new environment. The key is to give yourself time and not rush the process. At Gatenby Sanderson, the one team approach has been incredibly supportive, making this transition smoother than I could have expected. I’m grateful to all my colleagues for ensuring I am welcomed and supported in my journey.
Moving to a new role is a significant life change, filled with both excitement and challenges. It’s a journey of growth, not just professionally, but personally too. By embracing the unknown, building new relationships, asking questions, balancing work and personal life, setting small goals, and leaning on your support network, you can navigate this transition more smoothly. If you would like to speak to me about transitioning to a new role, or recruitment within your current organisation, don’t hesitate to drop me a message or email.
More about Rebekah
Before moving to Executive Search, Rebekah spent nearly a decade working in leadership for the Royal Marines Band Service, leading multidisciplinary high-performing teams across multiple projects internationally. She led a 200% growth in recruitment and retention and devised and led the programme for its delivery. During this time, Rebekah also founded and led an arts-based not-for-profit organisation which reached over 150 people weekly.
Since crossing into recruitment, Rebekah has placed executives at English Heritage, Lakeland Arts, Scottish Ballet and Longborough Festival Opera. Rebekah brings a high degree of sector insight, a values-led approach to candidate and client relations and a huge passion for the sector into her approach.
Learn more about the work that our Not for Profit team do.
If you would like to get in touch with Rebekah, you can reach her at rebekah.herz-bauman@gatenbysanderson.com.