New Boss? 5 Ways To Get Off On The Right Foot

With an average turnover rate of 13.5% and retirements on the rise, there’s a good chance you’re a new boss in the finance world.

So you probably want to start things off right as you lead a team that could be skeptical of you.

New Boss Challenges

Bottom line when becoming the new boss: First impressions count.

But it can be difficult to get those first impressions right when you’re up to your eyeballs figuring out the new job, meeting and working with your new bosses, and sorting through the mass of work left by your predecessor.

So how do you make the most of those early introductions and impressions?

Here are five things you can do that will have a big impact – and, thankfully, they’re not hard to do.

1. Keep a Smile On Your Face

If you can’t smile, at least remove the frown.

“Recognize that people draw some impressions about you pretty quickly,” says Karen Dillon, coauthor of the HBR Guide to Office Politics. And it’s on you to make sure those first impressions are positive.

Your new team is just as busy working as you are, so there’s no need to put a pouty face on even when you’re swamped.

Plus, your obvious positivity will likely rub off on everyone else.

It’s hard to stay grumpy when the boss is upbeat.

2. Buy a Welcome Lunch

If you don’t have the funds to spring for lunch, just buy coffee, snacks or donuts. Set it out where employees congregate (i.e., not your office) so they can nosh with ease.

Any new boss who brings relief for those 3 p.m. munchies will be revered!

3. Spend Time on What They Need

Put yourself in your employees’ shoes. You might try to keep asking yourself, ‘How can I help them get up to speed faster?’”

Better yet, make it a point to ask your employees.

You might be surprised if your employees tell you no one ever asked them directly what they need to do their jobs better. Showing that you’re aware of their needs and can help goes a long way in establishing trust.

One caution: Don’t put all of their needs ahead of yours. Being too flexible can come back to hurt you.

4. Find Common Ground

Make a point to learn about who your people are, their interests and their track record. Check out their LinkedIn profiles (even if you don’t link to them), or take a peek at their work areas.

Common interests like a favorite sports team, travel, art or fitness activity are perfect ways to connect early on.

Employees might be wary at first, but establishing a common bond – no matter how small – can make a huge impact on how your employees approach you.

5. Share Your Favorite Communication Style

Let employees know your preferred method of communication for different types of issues. And give them time to adjust. If the former manager was strictly an email person, your phone calls and drop-ins might put them off – at least at first.

By being up-front about how you like to communicate, and being flexible enough to accommodate their preferences, you’ll win favor and encourage better communication.

And What To Avoid

Don’t lay it on too thick. Employees will be able to see through a new manager’s excessive boasting or kissing up pretty quickly, and you run the risk of looking fake.

And once employees get that impression, it might never fade.

Your eagerness to make an impression should be to show an active interest in your employees and a desire to get along — but don’t go overboard.