Navigating New Roles: 5 Principles for Value-Driven Success

Your organization has a mission. The question is: Do you know what it is? Think about taking a trip to a new destination. We all love a fun adventure, but would you get on a plane without knowing where the plane was landing? Most likely, no. Prior to arriving at the airport, you would research where you are going, choose the best airline to take you there, and arrange transportation upon your arrival, etc. The same is true when stepping into a new role—before doing so, explore how the organization prioritizes values and have a clear understanding of leadership expectations.

First and foremost, figure out what is important to you. If you aren’t sure, here are 5 principles to explore with additional follow-up information to consider:

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: Is this an organization that fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued?

Community Engagement and Social Responsibility: If active community involvement is important to you, find out what charitable activities the organization is involved in. If not, is this an initiative you could take on?

Ethical Business Practices: Do the leaders across the organization promote transparency? Also, take time to think about your own level of integrity in work practices.

Innovation and Improvement: Organizations that embrace change often see higher success rates and are more adaptable to societal shifts. Do you encourage creativity? How would this fit into a new organization?

Respect and Collaboration: Respecting others and valuing teamwork is essential in healthy work cultures. Take time to evaluate what kind of attitude you bring to new teams. 

There are many other principles and philosophies that go into organizations. The important takeaway is to learn what works for you. Equally, understand that your own values and standards can shift over time. It’s important to evaluate if the principles of your organization align with your values and exhibit a culture that you want to be a part of. I would also add, understanding the sub-culture of your specific department if you are exploring a larger organization or institution. Lastly, continuously ask yourself what value am I adding? Be transparent early and recognize that not everything will be a perfect fit, the more you know yourself the more you can find what works best for you.

Thought for the week is this:

Keep going. Remember why you made the choice to start and stay on your path to success.