New Bees: 4 Hacks for Breaking into the Buzz.

Hey there! Yes, you - Newbie. Congrats on landing that sweet new gig. You've followed the trail of honey (or money) and have found yourself in an environment that's buzzing with promise. And of course, being the enthusiastic worker-bee you are, you're bursting with excitement at the prospect of jumping in and adding to it.

Before you can set out trailblazing new paths to greater success for yourself and everyone around you, you'll need to get a handle on how your new organization functions. You don't want to get smacked in the face with a dose of 'that's-not-how-we-do-things-around-here' now, do you? Sure, you probably have great ideas about how you can increase your department's efficiency ten-fold; but, you ought to understand how they conduct business before you go about showing them how it be done even better ;)

To help you get started, here are 4 easy-to-follow, structured hacks which will break you into your organization's buzz in no time:

Note the Tools of the Trade

This one might seem like a bit of a no-brainer. However, you'd be surprised at how different one organization is from the next in terms of the tools and platforms they use to get work done. You might have used software X at your previous workplace, but you'll find they prefer platform Y at your new one. If you're really fortunate, you'll find yourself working for an organization that allows you some say in picking the tools you need in order to succeed (as opposed to sucking) in your new role. Regardless, paying attention to what's being used to get the job done is a great way to strap on some wheels and hit the road running.

Learning Hack: An easy way to increase your awareness of the tools at your disposal is to make a list as you encounter them. Then, compare it with your previous job (or with what you used at school if this is your first gig). Also, consider the tools and platforms you've used in the past that aren't being employed in your new workplace - these represent potential opportunities for impressing the hell out of your new team by suggesting better alternatives or solutions. All in good time, of course!

Hive Architecture: How is your New Organization Structured?

As you bumble your way past corridors and cubicles (no doubt in search of the coffee machine), you begin to take in your surroundings. What an interesting place - it's almost as if everything's been arranged to allow people to interact with their surroundings and each other in a meaningful manner! And of course, that's exactly what organizational structure is about at its most basic level - it helps determine how information and resources interact and flow between different components of the organization.

In order to succeed in your new role, you'll need to navigate this structure on a regular basis. Identifying key departments and hierarchies early on will help you understand where to go when you need the right information or resources. Such as where to find the coffee machine in the morning. When in doubt, follow the trail of sleepy worker bees until you get to the sweet (or rather, the roasted, bitter) spot.

Learning Hack: If your new workplace is fairly well-organized, chances are you've already been enlisted in some form of onboarding by HR. Pay attention to this (often underappreciated) session as it can give you valuable insight into your organization's structure. If you have no onboarding program and they're expecting you to walk the plank by yourself, there are a few things you can do to ramp up quickly:

Ask your manager or someone in HR for access to organizational charts. These will help you visually navigate your organization's structure and will also identify its key leadership and what they do. Who knows, someday you might see your name up there with the best (maybe it already is?). For now, keep your nose in those charts! If you don't have access to org charts, ask a manager or colleague a few pointed questions about what each department does ('...say Bill, I was wondering about who's in charge of refilling the coffee machine?'). Finally, a quick walk through the office space (if you haven't already been given the grand tour) can be useful in mapping the layout and locations of key departments and personnel.

Understand Communication Styles and Patterns

Correspondence. Chitchat. Brouhaha. Whatever you choose to call it, communication plays a key role in adding structure to everyday tasks. Being the ever-shining beacon of enthusiasm that you are, you've lighted upon a few areas that are ripe for improvement as you saunter through the office. You can't wait to tell everyone - the boss, your co-workers, even the night watchman - after all, why wouldn't they be eager to hang on to every word of wisdom that drips from your mouth, right? All the same, before you shoot that lengthy email which outlines your ideas and recommendations to everyone, you might want to pause.

Here's why: Depending on the kind of organization you've joined, you'll likely notice varying modes of communication. Additionally, people possess their own preferences on how they like to be communicated with. Should you send emails or arrange for 1:1 meetings? Is it the right time for bringing up a certain kind of issue? Does it seem like your department is currently engaged in complicated gymnastics as they bend over backwards trying to meet a pressing deadline? If yes, it might be prudent to wait for a while.

Being aware of communication styles and patterns can make all the difference between standing out as a thoughtful contributor and sticking out as disruptive, sore thumb. Unless you're hitchhiking your way through and are ready to disrupt, erm I mean enhance some other organization. Then, by all means - stick out like a sore thumb.

Learning Hack: Watch your inbox and other platforms to identify communication patterns. How do colleagues communicate about different issues? Take note of events where people congregate - department meetings and town halls are especially useful for furthering your understanding of how your leadership team likes to communicate. Also pay attention to events and platforms which act as appropriate venues for posing ideas or asking questions. This will help you blend in and resonate with your organization's buzz and culture.

Understand Your Organization's Culture

Which brings us to Culture. Ahh, such a terribly simple, yet surprisingly complex term. The word gets thrown around a lot these days. And unless you've been living under a rock (or in a petri dish someplace - in which case you probably understand cultures better than most), you likely have a general idea of what the term means. At its most basic definition, it refers to 'the way we do things around here'. It might not be the best way, but it's our way and it works well (seemingly).

As with your organization's structure, there's a good chance you've already been exposed to its culture. A good hiring team would have reflected aspects of it in their attitude and hiring process. They would likely have taken your 'fit' into account. However, because hiring for a cultural fit remains a tricky affair, they can't be blamed if they don't quite get it right. Rock stars like you were meant to stand out and shine. As a newbie, you need to understand your company's culture so you can learn to balance both - your ability to stand out, even as you engage in the process of fitting in.

Learning Hack: An easy way to understand your organization's culture is to compare it with your previous workplace: what does your new office do in a markedly different manner? Are there rites of passage or other behaviours you see colleagues engaging in? If you've never worked before or if you find yourself in an entirely different industry from your previous one, you can always refer to that handy hitchhiker's guide to the world that is the Internet. What are current and ex-employees saying about your organization? And if you don't understand the Internet, I have no idea how you're reading any of this or if you know how to read at all. In which case, this must all seem a confusing mishmash of gibberish (like any other culture in a petri dish).

That's it for now! If you've ploughed through to the very end of this article, you really are a trooper and I've no doubt you'll make the transition from new recruit to grizzled veteran in no time! (Well, in a reasonable amount of time, anyway - you can't rush everything now, can you?) Carry on buzzing!

About the Author: The author leverages his experience in HR Consulting, L&D and Employee Engagement to help construct life hacks aimed at helping people navigate their way through modern organizations. He believes in the healing power of humour and is an advocate of enabling Human Resources teams to be more Human. He possesses degrees in Psychology and English Lit and has lots of specialized experience in lots of things. Really.

Before you get back to the grind, add your suggestions for any new bee who happens to buzz through the comments section. If they prove to be very good, we might just include them in another article (giving you credit for your ideas, of course!).