Hey there, it’s Jill!

A few months ago, I joined a new team in a completely different department.

While adjusting to a steep learning curve, this team is also going through organizational change - new leaders, shifting team dynamics, and a brand-new interaction model made everything feel… unfamiliar.

I still remember turning to my manager after a 15-person meeting and asking:

“Who are these people, and why are we in this meeting?”
“Well… I’m not sure either,” he laughed. “It’s the first time we’ve had this kind of meeting. I guess we’ll just have to see how things unfold.”

If you’re navigating something similar, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into a few lessons I’ve learned about what to do after joining a new team.

1. Readjust Your Expectations

While we all want to make meaningful progress right away, the truth is — good things take time. The first three months can feel like a hit to your “knowledge tank” — because suddenly, EVERYTHING is new.

I remember asking my manager:

“Do we have a place where everything is documented? I’d love to start reading and preparing, but right now I’m just waiting for tasks to come my way.”

He smiled and said:

“Jill, if there were such a place, I would have pointed you to it on day one. You’ll need to go through the full experience once to understand what we do. But I love your proactivity — give it time, and you’ll catch up in no time.”

He was right. Around the 4-month mark, I finally began to feel like I knew something — and more importantly, that I could contribute meaningfully.

2. Learn from the Best — and Take Notes

Even though things take time, that’s no reason to be passive 😉.

Here are four actions that helped me accelerate my learning:

🚩 Network with people you work with

Every new interaction is a chance to understand the bigger picture. I usually followed up meetings with coffee chats - not just to connect, but to also ask questions like:

• What’s your team focused on?

• How does our work overlap?

• How did you get started in this space?

These conversations help transfer knowledge organically — and also build trust.

🚩 Collect past work

Ask colleagues if they can share past work — slides, shared docs, Excel models, anything.
It’s a great second point of “drill” — to learn from what’s already been done and build your mental framework faster.

🚩 Stay close to your manager

Check in regularly.

• Am I on the right track?

• Are the methods and references still relevant?
  Share progress — especially the things I’m learning independently. This not only keeps you aligned but also shows initiative ☺️.

🚩 Create a personal learning repository

Even with the best intentions, we forget things, or lose track of where to find answers. I found it incredibly helpful to build a personal resource hub:

• It can be a simple slide deck, a spreadsheet, or a OneNote

• Capture key processes, concepts, contacts, and acronyms

• Summarize what I learned in my own words

This becomes my go-to reference when I need a quick refresh or context later on.

3. Stay in Touch with Your Old Team

If you're like me, you might miss your old team from time to time.

If you’re transitioning within the same company, stay connected with former teammates. They’re probably curious about how your new role is going — and those connections still matter!

4. Life is a Journey

Joining a new team can be energizing and overwhelming. But like so many other life transitions, the journey is just as meaningful as the destination.

The people you meet.
The conversations you have.
The quiet moments where you grow without even realizing it.

One day, you might look back and wonder about the path you didn’t take. There is no single “right” decision — only the path you chose, and the one you didn’t.

As long as your choices come from a place of integrity, curiosity, and growth, you’re doing just fine!

Before We Wrap Up…

Here is a checklist to support you when joining a new team. Enjoy the journey!

— Jill

Founder of Anchor Growth Newsletter

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