1. The Ropes to Skip and the Ropes to Learn Survival Strategies in New Job Settings Angela Madden and Joanne Oud, Wilfrid Laurier University

2. Starting a new job: Day 1: Isnt this great! Day 10: What have I gotten myself into??

3. Things to learn in a new job: Job tasks: Easy! You know some already and get training for others; the ropes to skip Culture: Hard! Difficult to figure out and causes most problems; the ropes to learn

4. Organizational culture: The taken for granted assumptions in an organization the way we do things around here Every organization has one Every organizations culture is different

5. Culture shock! When encountering a new culture: The old rules for figuring things out dont work any more Things seem strange and unfamiliar You have to learn new rules that work in the new environment

6. Advice for success 1. Expect some culture shock (its normal) 2. Understand the learning process Surprise Learning Responding Others reaction

7. Advice for success (cont.) 3. Dont leap before you look: –Understand how your librarys culture works to avoid major mistakes

8. 3 levels of culture Level 1: artifacts (detectable behaviour and processes) Level 2: stated values (conscious and documented goals, philosophies, etc) Level 3: assumptions (unconscious, taken for granted beliefs and feelings)

9. How to interpret what you see Behaviour doesnt always match stated values: confusing for newcomers Interpret behaviour by examining underlying assumptions in your organizations culture

10. Figuring out your new culture Observe, ask questions about –Physical space/layout –Stories/history –Structure and procedures –Etc See handout for suggestions

11. More advice for success 4. Be proactive: dont rely on others 5. Come up with a strategy to get what you need to do well 6. Ask questions: be specific

12. More advice for success (cont.) 7. Take advantage of being new: ask naïve questions 8. Dont take early conflict or mistakes personally: they result from culture shock 9. Find and use a support network

13. More advice for success (cont.) 10. Find a mentor 11. Seek feedback, both formal and informal 12. Set realistic goals; be patient 13. Recognize successes as well as mistakes: stay positive

14. What is success? Functioning well NOT Fitting in

15. Angela Madden amadden@wlu.ca Joanne Oud joud@wlu.ca