Association Executive - September/October 2007 - (Page 8)

12 Sink or Swim Weeks to By Milo Sindell, MS and Thuy Sindell, PhD ave a new job? The first 12 weeks are critical as you figure out what you need to do as you go through each workday and week, setting goals, establishing milestones, developing contacts and building relationships. Each week is different and builds on the work you did the previous week. Throughout the first 12 weeks, you will gather information, think about what you are learning, apply it, and continuously fine-tune your skills. H Week 1 Case the Joint Quickly get to know your new work environment. Set up your office, and establish a morning drive time routine that works for you. Gather information about your association or not-for-profit and its industry, and get to know your team and how they work. and team player skills. Make sure your image is polished by practicing strong communication skills. Demonstrate active listening by asking questions, waiting your turn to speak, and cordially informing others of your work. Week 4 Immerse Yourself As you make progress on your projects, don’t forget to look up from your desk and engage with the world around you. Continue to take in new information, keep appropriate pace with your new organization, and make adjustments to stay on course. Build rapport and trust with others, and begin to share your resources with your team. © Dreamstime.com/Animalchin Week 2 Get a Firm Grip Clearly understand your role and how you fit into the big picture to demonstrate results and success. Determine how your work supports your team’s and organization’s goals. Familiarize yourself with the details of your job and how your role relates to the services the association/notfor-profit delivers to its members/donors/ constituents. Week 6 Ignite Your Star Power Create opportunities to make your unique skills, knowledge, and abilities shine in your job. Leverage your skills to help others on your team and in your organization. Determine the skills or traits you want to be known for and identify opportunities for further professional development. Week 5 Climb onto the Observation Deck Be a scientist and peer beneath the surface to look closer at the inner workings of your association. You are going to see a fascinating environment full of unwritten rules and unique practices. Effectively decode your work environment so you will be better equipped to navigate potential obstacles and achieve your objectives. Document your discoveries, and apply your learning to your job. Week 3 Buckle Down Get going on your projects and share your progress with your manager. As you are in the midst of your work, this is a great opportunity to continue to assess and practice your time management 8 ASSOCIAT IO N EX EC U T IV E SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 Week 7 Do Lunch Review the progress you have made to develop your work relationships and ensure that you are on track to building a strong network. Your network of relationships is critical for you to have access to the right information, get help when you need it, and accomplish your objectives. http://Dreamstime.com/Animalchin

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Executive - September/October 2007

Contents From the CEO The Executive's Role in Internship Programs 12 Weeks to Sink or Swim Book Beat Inside NYSAE Winning the War for Talent The Not-for-Profit Edge: Recruiting & Retaining Generation X Burnout Busters: 10 Ways to Cope When Work Gets Overwhelming Meeting in Atlantic City Save the Dates Index of Advertisers

Association Executive - September/October 2007

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