my first sunday at waters edge church was january 4th, which means i've been here for a little over a month. in that short time, i've learned a lot. probably the most important thing i've learned, though, is this... i have a lot to learn!
tony shared his take on new employees the other day and it hit the nail on the head for me. take a look at what he had to say...
It takes 12 months in any new job to figure out the role.
I’m talking about leadership roles here. If you are a widget-fabricator, maybe it’s different for you. For those of us that transition into new leadership positions, though, it always takes a full year to find out what we were really hired to do.
In those 12 months, we get to figure out what the unspoken expectations are. We have the opportunity to determine how our uniqueness fits into the unique organization that now provides our paycheck. We have the chance to see how we relate and work beside the people on our team. It takes 12 months. Until then, we aren’t really adding true value. We’re just trying to survive.
This is why finding the right people before you offer the job is so important. This is why finding the right employer before accepting the job is so important. This is why keeping the right people in your organization is so important. Every time the position opens, we lose 12 months.
when i first read that, i thought "man, that stinks. twelve months?". but i have to say i agree with tony's thoughts here 100%... because i'm there right now. i can attest to it first hand. i know i found the right employer. and (hopefully!) they think they found the right employee. but i'm still the new guy. i'm still learning the ropes.
it takes twelve months. well... one month down, eleven to go...
hang in there Jake! we are glad you came to WEC! I agree with the one year thing, I have been here just over a year and agree that it takes about that long to know what you're doing. especially at WEC, there is always something new around the corner. :)
Posted by: Amanda Brenneman | February 18, 2009 at 03:19 PM
amanda, you're right... if there's one thing i've learned @ wec in my short time here... there is ALWAYS something new around the corner. it keeps me on my toes... i love it!
Posted by: jake | February 19, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Jake, I love having you on the team. Dillon was telling me the other day after church that you already seem like one of us. He said even though you are new you fit right in with the staff.
Posted by: Rob Shepherd | February 20, 2009 at 06:49 AM
thanks rob, that's good to hear. i love our team, dude. thankful to be a part of it.
Posted by: jake | February 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM