by Becky Tankersley, Chair, Recruitment & Marketing PAC, AACRAO; Communications Officer, Enrollment Services, Georgia Tech
Rookies get a bad rap, but to excel in the workplace and in life we need to adopt their key traits, says Tammy Aagard. In her session, "Not Bad for a Rookie: Leveraging Learning and Experience in the Workplace," she shared how we can continue to grow regardless of how long we’ve been in our current position.
When we are new to a job, we’re in the mode of growing, learning, and asking questions. As time goes by we gain confidence and knowledge but lose our excitement, becoming comfortable and complacent. Aagard says this is the time you need to disrupt yourself and find a new challenge. A new challenge may not necessarily be a new job—it could mean taking on a new project or finding a personal challenge such as training for a marathon.
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Aagard discussed key traits of rookies we can reintegrate into our mindsets, leading to growth and fulfillment.
Mindsets to adopt include:
The backpacker: unencumbered, they see new possibilities, explore new terrain, and don’t settle into yesterday’s best practices. The backpacker was contrasted with the caretaker, who acts as a protector of how things are and “this is how we’ve always done it.”
The hunter-gatherer: alert and seeking, they seek out expertise, mobilize ideas and resources, and ask naïve questions (Aagard was quick to encourage the group to eliminate the phrase “dumb question” from their vocabulary). This mindset was contrasted with the local guide, who simply shares what they already know.
The firewalker: cautious but quick, this person takes small, calculated steps, delivers quickly, and seeks feedback and coaching. Firewalkers were contrasted with marathoners, who keep a steady pace each day.
The pioneer: forging ahead, pioneers don’t settle where they are—they traverse uncomfortable territory, improvise, and push boundaries. Pioneers were compared to settlers, who are comfortable, settled in, and consumers.
Aagard offered several key takeaways in this session:
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Have a stable of mentors, rather than only one, so that you hear a variety of perspectives.
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Think big, start small, and deliver fast—dream big, but recognize you have to start with small steps.
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If you’re filling a position in your office, first reexamine your organizational structure. It could be an opportunity to bring new traits to your team.
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Never take a job you’re completely qualified for—you’ll outgrow it quickly. Look for a new challenge and use a “one size too big” philosophy, allowing for room for growth.
Aagard included a list of books in her presentation slides for those interested in learning more on this topic. Download session handouts with the AACRAO Engage app.