I’ve just started a new job with a new boss who I’m in the dark on. Others say he can be difficult, although I think we’re off to a fairly good start. There’s a lot to be done and a lot expected of me, but I’m up for it. Unfortunately, there also seems to be some backbiting going on throughout the division. I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into, but I still think there’s hope, and the position has a lot of potential. How do I avoid self-destructing in a risky situation?

Deb's Answer: 

What a fun bunch of people—not! I do hope the work itself is everything you’ve ever wanted.

Beside yourself, your boss has the greatest potential to influence your ability to prevail or perish in your new position. “Being off to a fairly good start” is an encouraging assessment. Continue to lay the groundwork in the initial days and months for a workable relationship.

Try to figure out early on your boss’s work style and preferred mode of communication. While it’s important to stay open and form your own opinions, bear in mind lessons learned from others. Defining “difficult” as described by others and understanding what seems to work and not work with your boss can also prove valuable in helping you get a jumpstart in the relationship.

Of course, reading his signals, and when possible, discussing directly each of your styles and approaches will contribute significantly to shared understanding of intentions and motivations. It will be essential to determine how your styles differ and to come to some understanding about how decisions get made and how you will communicate with each other.

Defining and understanding expectations is critical if you are to survive as the new guy in a demanding role. Setting priorities with your boss will help you to focus and achieve demanding but realistic goals. At some point a direct conversation about your resource and support needs will require airing, as well.

When there’s so much to accomplish, the tendency can be to try to tackle everything all at once. Avoid spreading yourself and your resources thin by rushing off in too many directions. Without established priorities and achievable objectives, you set yourself up for failure. Identify and focus on the key initiatives that you and your boss settled on for the immediate term. Refer to your agreed upon goals frequently, reinforcing and redefining as needed.

Beyond your boss, building relationships within the rest of your team will contribute to your success. It’s hard to excel in a job without respect and cooperation from co-workers. Avoid isolating yourself and avoid getting pulled in to destructive conversations. Given the backbiting atmosphere, proceed with caution, initially observing and reaching out at times when you can contribute to enhancing the situation.

Deliver on your commitments. With expectations established and relationships developing, eyes will be focused on your ability to get the job done and follow-through on your promises. So, be careful not to overpromise. Humility will pay off in the long run.

It’s often the most demanding situations that provide the best opportunity for learning. Regardless of how long you decide to stay in this position, if you can approach it as a development opportunity, the potential for personal and career fulfillment is great.

Any way you slice it, it sounds like you’re in for an intense initiation. Maintaining your confidence and optimism will pose half the challenge, so rally your resources in the other parts of your life to hang on to your humor, your perspective and your sanity.