7 Tips for a Successful First Meeting With a New Team
Whether you have just accepted a position with a new company, or you are onboarding fresh colleagues on your team or project, a first meeting with a new set of people can be incredibly stressful. Even people who do not experience symptoms of anxiety may find themselves wondering how to handle the event.
The other meeting attendees are fully aware that it is your first meeting. Most people will understand that you are entirely out of your element when inserting yourself into that type of environment. Even if you are an expert in your field or your reputation precedes you, meetings like this can be uncomfortable. Standards may be higher than usual.
How To Ace The First Meeting
1. Prepare Effectively
People who are not prepared for their meeting–especially an initial meeting with a new team–could find themselves like a deer in headlights, even with notice. Even those who have been briefed on meeting agendas often find themselves forgetting topics of note and progress during run-of-the-mill meetings. Leading up to the meeting or your first day on the job, a checklist may come in handy to help you prepare a little more meticulously.
2. Do Your Research
In most cases, your new coworkers will want to experience your contributions and see you thinking on your feet. Wary colleagues will want some sign that you are competent and that they will not have to micromanage your work.
It is your job as a new hire to do what you can to learn about the ins and outs of your new team, project, and work environment. Like studying for a big test, you should make yourself aware of any pointed logistics and set yourself up for success.
If the resources are available, learn a little bit about your new team members as well. While a full-on social media stalking situation is not necessarily warranted, connecting with key players via LinkedIn or checking out their profiles in your internal communications system could be very helpful. If anyone has an active biography on the company’s website, knowing how they became involved or what role they play will allow you to ask the right questions and be an involved member of the conversation.
3. Bring Notes
As a backup option, come prepared with some of the ideas you may have discussed during the interview process. Pulling up the company’s mission statement or goals listed for the new hire could benefit you immensely, and help you prepare conversation topics if need be. You may have come up with helpful notes while preparing for your new project and those will come in handy as well.
4. Dress For The Occasion
This team–comprised of multiple people–may be looking to you for signs that you will help innovate and move their work forward. First impressions can be remarkably important, and the way you present yourself clothing-wise greatly influences that impression. Dressing for success in this scenario could set you up with a dynamite first impression. At the very least, the team will be flattered that you’re on your A-game.
Remember, dressing for success with one company could look entirely different than dressing for success in most corporate situations. An estimated 26% of the workforce has a business casual dress code.
If you are unsure what the particular dress code of your team is or are feeling nervous, feel free to ask your hiring manager for advice. If you have met other members of the team and feel comfortable reaching out via internal messaging system or email about their standards, try that. Most people can figure out the vibe of their particular workplace by doing a little digging on the company’s website and/or social media outlets. But if you are stuck, you can fall back on custom linen suits, tailored pants, and a nice pair of matching shoes to make a strong first impression.
The good news? If you are conducting the meeting via a video call, 50% of people admit to wearing business attire from the waist up, or just the parts of you that are in-frame.
5. Contribute To The Conversation
While a timid wallflower is often intriguing in a new environment, unless you were hired explicitly to take notes in meetings, an initial meeting with a new team is absolutely your time to shine. Rely on the person leading the meetup for any agenda details, and try not to control the narrative unless asked to do so.
In the event that you are onboarding with a new company, you may be subject to back-to-back meetings during your initial weeks on the job. Be sure to keep concise and organized notes, perhaps with the help of a digital organizational system. After all, you will not want to rely on anyone else to rehash the meeting for you.
6. Approach Everything With Appreciation
Approaching the meeting with a positive attitude and true appreciation for the talent you are working with can both humble you and make your colleagues feel amazing. When introducing yourself, be sure to thank the people responsible for having you on the team, and ensure that the members of the team know you are excited to contribute to their already amazing work.
7. Don’t Forget To Smile
Even if you have no experience with the brand, product or company itself, you will want to absolutely approach with kindness. Remembering to smile instead of looking absolutely terrified or confused may also help instill a sense of excitement in the other people involved in the meeting. It allows you to emanate warmth and competence to the people in your new circle.
