5 Tips to Help You Succeed in Your New Team

I compare starting a job to an athlete signing with a new team. Meeting new teammates (coworkers), touring a new home arena (office), being shown to a new locker (desk) – it’s easy to feel like an all-star.

However, there will be challenges considering all the change. I experienced this when I moved from the East Coast of the U.S. (shout out to New Jersey!) to Portland, Oregon to join #teamadidas at our North America headquarters.

I had to learn a new job at a new company in a new city. Here are some things that helped me embrace the change, settle into my role and find my place on the team.

I appreciate feedback because I believe we never stop learning. There’s always room to grow and improve; however, sometimes it’s tough to take feedback in your stride. I’ve learned to not take it personally and to not be too hard on myself. Instead I take note of the feedback and focus my energy on applying it to my game.

Doesn’t it feel like some days go by in the blink of an eye? Between responsibilities at work and home, sometimes it’s easy to go (or fly) through the motions of each day, jumping from task to task. I take time to reflect on all my “wins” from each day, big or small, and I write down at least one thing I want to accomplish tomorrow or a skill I want to develop.

Here’s another good piece of advice I recently received: “Stay focused on one thing at a time and do it really well.” This really resonates with me because I know that sometimes I work at a fast pace and try to do too much. It’s an important reminder for me to slow down and take my time to deliver my best work. It’s helped me turn weaknesses into new strengths to improve my game.

It wasn’t easy moving to a new state, far away from family and friends. Since arriving in Portland, I’ve really put myself out there to make new friends. At work, I joined the adidas Basketball League and Toastmasters (public speaking) club. I also joined a weekend hockey league. I’ve met a lot of great people, I’m enjoying my new home city and I love my new job!

It takes time to adjust and build chemistry with new teammates but transitioning to a new team should be exciting. Embrace the change with a positive attitude to become an all-star and find success on gameday.