Fitting in at work - any suggestions for the newbie? 15

[timbochung]

I've started a new job and not sure if I'm quite fitting in. Although it's only been about two weeks - I'm wondering if I'm getting a rep of a geeky keener. Kinda like Martin from the Simpsons.

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do. I really enjoy what I do (mechanical design) and I do it well.

Should I just get over it and move on? Anyone with similar stories?

 

[TheTick]

Shut up.

Let other people talk. People like to talk about themselves.

Don't let out too many personal details in your first few weeks of acquaintance. Don't let on about your obsessions.

Don't play reindeer games until you're sure you're one of the reindeer.

 

[ctopher]

I agree. I have been going thru the same thing. Take the time to learn as much as you can. You may not know it, but they are watching to see what you do and say. It's normal.
Figure out how the dept works, figure out how you can make something better, then spring it on them!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[lostsailor]

designgeek,
Good advice from both the tick and ctopher. It would benefit you greatly to observe your fellow employees interaction and for you to spend a lot of time watching and listening. If a work related social event comes around, watch your alcohol intake :0). BTW, what's a geeky keener?
Regards,
RLS

 

[UcfSE]

Everybody gets a hard time and takes some ribbing as the new guy. Sometimes people will bug you just to be funny, break the ice, see what you can handle, or see if you'll laugh along and take it and be "one of the guys". There's all sorts of reasons, both good and bad. I'd laugh when you can and take everything with a grain of salt so to speak. As long as it doesn't turn into harassment of the sort that gives you an ulcer, it usually goes away after a while, though it may be a while indeed. Most of the time in my experience they just want to see if you're just "one of the guys" or if you'll turn your nose up at them and take everything to heart unnecessarily.

Listen to what they talk about when it isn't work related. If it's something you can join in on, do so if you can. Just remember, it isn't highschool anymore and you weren't hired so you can impress your coworkers. If they like you, fine. If not, they know where they can go.

 

[MikeHalloran]

You don't know who your enemies are yet, which should be reason enough to keep quiet.

On the other hand, you also have "New Guy Mojo". If you know what you are doing, and can demonstrate it (as opposed to talking about it), you can make things happen. E.g., chances are that the incumbents have been moaning about the lack of some new and better and expensive tool, which The Boss has resisted acquiring for whatever reason. E.g. some CAD add-on, or some hand tools for the engineering department, a decent chair to replace the terrible one you were stuck with, whatever. You may be able to get it by the simple expedient of asking for it, if you can come up with a defensible justification.

Act quickly; your New Guy Mojo expires when the next New Guy shows up. ;-)





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[timbochung]

Great feedback - I appreciate the comments. My definition of the geeky keener is a person who seems nice enough but lags a bit on a social level. The keener aspect is a person who is a hard-worker and always striving to do better. So put the two together and we have a hard-working nerd.
I am aware that I'm new and have no history but it feels discouraging and alarming to see a familiar pattern that I would like to change.
I'm the guy who is always raising the bar. I do it because:
a. I feel that it is the right thing to do - continuous improvement
b. To prove myself to my colleagues and manager

Ultimately, I know that this is business and as long as I keeping doing good work - I should be ok. However, I really want to get along and fit in. I don't like being the isolated brainer - done it too many times. Is this the way the is or am I missing something?

 

[GregLocock]

"I'm the guy who is always raising the bar. "

Probably not a quick path to popularity, with your coworkers at least.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Ashereng]

I'm the guy who is always raising the bar. I do it because:
a. I feel that it is the right thing to do - continuous improvement
b. To prove myself to my colleagues and manager

I agree with Greg. A new comer who comes in "raising the bar" gets interpreted to "new comer with uppity". Think of it this way - how would you react to the next new guy doing what you are currently doing (after you have been there for 5 years)?

 

[HVAC68]

I'm the guy who is ALWAYS raising the bar. Note the word ALWAYS. It's a continuous process.

Having said that I tend to agree with Greg and Ashereng. I do end up having problems with my co-workers all along because of this single reason. However, I continue to raise the bar, nevertheless !!!

HVAC68

 

[lostsailor]

designgeek,
If you are starting to see an undesirable pattern then you need to engage in some introspection or, better yet, find someone to bluntly tell you what it is about you or what you do that your colleagues find irritating/annoying/disturbing, etc., as the case may be. Granted, work is not a popularity contest but what your coworkers think of you will affect how they deal with you ( or not, as the case may be ) and this will bear directly on your success or failure. People can easily misinterpret your intentions in a negative way. You can be the best engineer at your workplace which will count for nothing if your colleagues and manager don't see you as part of the "team". Sad but true, it's part of the game and everyone has to play.
Regards,
RLS

 

[PSE]

If you are trying to fit in as part of the group socially it can be a bit difficult. Group dynamics can quickly change. If you use a "divide and conquer" approach and spend one on one time conversing with some co-workers, you may establish some common interests or background. If you can do this with a few people within your group, you may find yourself "accepted" and you have eased your way "in".

Regards,

 

[Nella95]

Don't play reindeer games until you're sure you're one of the reindeer. - The Tick

That's good advice.

 

[wes616]

Or - be a contractor and avoid the office politics all together!

Wes C.
------------------------------
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...

 

[zcp]

Take members of your group to lunch one or two at a time and make a point to not talk shop. Ask them how they got there, what their previous jobs were, do they have family in the area, etc. etc. Then listen.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[monkeydog]

Designgeek,
You said

" I don't like being the isolated brainer - done it too many times."

So you have been at your new job for about 2 weeks and already know you are the "brainer"? Well, that attitude is probably smelling up the place. There is probably a slim chance that 1 or 2 other people in the office has the knowledge and experience to help you with your continious improvement.

When you are "the guy who is always raising the bar", how are you doing it? At the expense of your co-workers? Are you working with or in competition with your co-workers? Your boss has a "team", do you see yourself as the "new QB" or "new lineman protecting the QB"?

 

[timbochung]

When it comes to design - it is something that I do well. My designs usually:
a. work
b. are easy to make
c. are easy to assemble
d. look good
I also have good CAD/computer skills that enable me to do all of this relatively quickly. It is in this manner that I feel that I raise the bar - by doing good work quickly.
When it comes to attitude - I keep a close watch on myself to ensure that it is the best design that goes through and not just my design.

 

[Ashereng]

designgeek,

In the end, it is up to you how you work, what you do and how you want to fit in with your coworkers.

If like HVAC68, "raising the bar" is important to you, keep raising the bar - even at the expense of your relationship with your coworkers.

If you want a better working relationship with your coworkers, and your current approach doesn't work, I would suggest you try a different approach.

 

[MadMango]

Two weeks (starting on three) is not enough time to start "raising the bar" at any company, in any position. The first 90-days should be used to learn your job duties, job expectations and office politics. When I read this statement in the context it is presented here, I interpret it coming from someone that has a diva complex.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
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[EngJW]

Bright ideas are a dime a dozen. The ability to carry out those ideas is rare. Once you criticize the way things are done, be prepared to put in the effort to change it, and not expect someone else to do it and give you the credit. Old timers have heard it all - raising the bar, thinking outside the box, and on and on and on. They have seen a lot of hot shots come and go. Every company has its own culture that you have to accommodate if you want to survive, and getting a working knowledge of a product and getting used to the people takes much longer than a few weeks.