During this past summer’s virtual College Board Summer Institute, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on starting at a new school or in a new position. I have also had the opportunity to experience the start to a transition to a new school myself this summer. As such, I wanted to share a couple thoughts and takeaways.

First and foremost, I strongly recommend The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins. Some of the book is focused upon the business world, but so much of it is wonderfully applicable to any sector but especially, in my experience, to education. 

Here are some takeaways from my presentation…

1. Put time into planning. Carve out time to plan out your transition. This will not happen on its own.

2. Buy yourself time to understand culture. So much of any transition is dependent upon the culture of the school, so it is essential to make time and to put in effort to understanding culture.

3. People. Mentors. Allies. Relationships. Find people to support you in your transition. Don’t only rely upon those assigned to you.

4. Live the growth mindset. Be positive, open-minded, and reflect on those times when you feel yourself reverting to a fixed mindset.

5. Establish new routines. Make new habits and establish new ways to go about your days. 

6. Maintain old routines and relationships. Keep some of what is familiar and be deliberate and intentional about maintaining contact with your people from your previous post.

7. Over communicate. Make sure you let others, especially those with whom you work closely, know what you are up to and how you are spending your time and how you are feeling.

8. Expect that it will be difficult and be kind to yourself. Above all, make sure you are finding time for you and to take care of yourself. 

While these pointers have been instrumental in my experience — positively when I’ve actively adhered to them and negatively when I’ve neglected them — I’ve subsequently encountered this article in the Harvard Business Review on credibility. In starting any new position or role, establishing trust among your colleagues and constituencies is essential. While the article focuses on the particular context of individuals with no experience, it strikes me that none of us have experience with the aforementioned culture when we begin our new roles, and, as such, the advice seems germane.

1. Leverage your research skills. Get to know your work, your colleagues, your school, the history, the culture. Research means a lot of things, but it all helps.

2. Identify (and embrace) your specific contribution. Sometimes we enter roles knowing what is expected of us and having been hired based on a particular skill set. If you know this, be sure to stick with that. If you do not know this, either ask your supervisor or reflect on what you think you are best at and how you can make a difference.

3. Volunteer willingly. Get involved. Don’t compromise your own wellness or mental health, but get involved as much as you can. This will make it easier for people to know you and for you to grow your perspective and understanding. (And it is a form of research!)

4. Manage your workload and communicate proactively. Again, be committed to your own sanity and wellness; however, it is important to set parameters about what you will NOT do and work that you will not (or not yet) take on. And then be sure to communicate this with others, especially those with whom you will work closely.

5. Work to build a network of close relationships. Meet people. Ask to be invited to meetings. Ask to observe. Invite others to meet. Get to understand others perspectives of your work, office, team, role, etc. 

As I work to transition into my new role, all of these things are at the forefront of my mind. I’d love to hear others’ thoughts. Send me an email!