Making of a Star!

It is that time of the year when transition is in the air. A transition that is full of anticipation for a new life ahead, anxieties of having to spend ten hours a day with unfamiliar people; the joy (and sometimes sadness) of leaving a memorable campus life behind and overall an enthusiasm of stepping into a new life, called by most – ‘A Career’.

In my last 14 years of being associated with the Human Resources function; I have seen some individuals manage this transition really well and some messing it up to the point of no reversal.  The individuals who managed this transition very well did something right/displayed the behaviors that made them likable at work; got them new mentors at each stage of their professional journey; helped them positively influence/collaborate with colleagues at work and over all made them better and successful professionals over many years.

So here are some of those observations on what has worked for many in the first 90 days out of campus that helped them in building a successful professional stint ahead:

1.       Stay true to your Core Values – This  will forever top my list and the one, to me, that distinguishes stars from others.  Having tracked dozens of graduates so far; one of the things that differentiates high performing ones from the rest is the AQ i.e. Awareness Quotient.  The stars know what they stand for; their strengths, what do they believe in; what their core values are and they use this awareness to navigate through the times when pressures at work build up. They use their first 90 days to reflect on what the organization values are and how aligned are their personal values with those values.  They, then, determine a win-win path that lets them shine; paving up a way to stay authentic and feeling fulfilled and joyous as they move on in their life journeys.

2.       Be a sponge –  Its your first 90 days at work.  So take this time to know the organization, know who are the people working in your team, in your function, what is the unspoken code in that team; who could help you learn; what tacit knowledge exists in the team that will come in handy; what products/services does your organization offer etc.. The first 90 days at work will give you all the time, without delivery pressures; to learn things that will influence your career ahead a most.  And what will make you an awesome sponge….Jump on to the third observation on my list.

3.       Be humble – This is one virtue that will find you friends wherever you go.  Not everything you encounter is going to look pleasant or meet up your expectations.  Can you then be humble enough to accept that certain norms are ingrained in the organization and all you can do is absorb all the virtues that the organization has to offer? First 90 days is really about keeping all the judgments aside. Remember as much as you are judging the organisation; the reverse is also true.  How would you like your manager; your colleagues and your team mates to judge you?  Do they see you as one constant complainer or someone who is ready to jump into issues with a solution mindset; is keen to learn; is happy to contribute and is ever inquisitive to know processes beyond their face value. Keep in mind that there is something right about the organization and therefore you chose to join it in the first place.  Humility is about clinging on to that and learning from everything that the organization has to offer without judging or critiquing it (atleast in the first 90 days)

4.       Dress up and Show up – How you show up at work makes an enormous difference in how people around perceive you.  Guys – Shave and comb your hair well.  A messy look conveys your exactly similar approach to work and life.  So make an effort to dress well.  Girls – Invest in a good attire. A smart outfit makes you feel confident and once you feel it inside your head; it radiates out to the world as well.  Which reminds me…bring your AQ back…be aware of your posture when you are walking and sitting. Never ever slouch and look straight into the eyes when talking to people around..  that brings in an aura of confidence around you and makes you look in control of yourself.  Isn’t that what you should aspire for before controlling the world around you?

5.       No work is menial for your stature – I was once told that even the CEO of a company has to perform some administrative tasks.  Rightly so as you can’t be only doing heavy duty strategizing all day long.  You need to, someday, file those papers or key in data so that your strategy looks right or is appropriately documented.  And that goes for the young managers too.  The stars know that nothing is too menial in a function.  Everything that you do has some meaning hidden in it.  One of my mentees once told me that she was asked to enter some purchase data in the system that she initially thought was below her stature considering she had studied in one of the premier institutes of the country.  The value of the task was realized few months later when she understood the pricing tactics of the vendor much better than her colleagues only because she studied the prices quoted while keying the same in the system.  Therefore, keep the ‘stature’ business aside.  Every task is important if you look at it with a right lens.   

The journey ahead is going to be a process of constant learning, un-learning and re-learning and its really up to you how you decide to approach this journey.  Like Harry Potter’s mentor at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore says –“ Its not our abilities that make us who we are; its our choices”.   I hope these observations help you make all the right choices as you step into the most exciting part of your lives.