I got a puppy last week.
I’ve never actually had a puppy, though I lived with one many years ago and helped to train it. The couple of dogs I have had were seniors by the time I got them and there wasn’t much left to do training wise beyond some behavior modification. So, it’s been a bit of a culture shock!
But it got me thinking about attitudes and of course, as this is a vocational school blog, it got me thinking about employment attitudes, particularly when you are the new person in the building.
Starting a new job is scary and for many people, they don’t always get to show their best light until, in some cases, it may be too late. It’s very common to feel nervous and this can manifest as anything from being very quiet and watchful to being overly assertive. Different nervous attitudes cause friction with the people who are around you since they already know what’s going on and don’t really want to have to deal with someone who is silent, talks too much, or being cranky.
One of the ways to combat this? Mimic a puppy. (Minus the barking and piddling on the floor of course).
Open to All Experiences
One of the things which makes puppies really fun is that they are open to all different experiences, even if they are nervous. They enjoy visiting new places, going on walks, watching new people (hopefully meeting new people), learning new tricks, and trying new food.
As a new employee, it’s your job to be open to the experiences around you, both people and overall culture and the way things are done. One of the worst things you can do is close yourself from everyone and try to do things the way you did them in the past – even if you are in the same industry, different places will have their own way of doing things. We know that we have to learn them, but there’s a difference between forcing yourself to do it and being open to and joyful about it. Puppies are generally open to and love new things. (Cats on the other hand, not so much). Be the puppy!
Don’t Push Yourself
The trend of ‘Act your wage’ may have businesses in an uproar, but there is some truth to the idea of keeping some boundaries up so that you don’t burn out. When a puppy is tired, they stop doing whatever they are doing and rest. This lets them grow up strong and healthy and gives them a chance to slow down and consider what they have learned (if only in puppy dreams).
Obviously, we are not advocating that you nap on the job; instead, it’s important to take the time to learn everything properly and not feel bad if you need to take a bit longer to do so. And don’t try to push yourself too hard! You’ll hopefully have this job for a while, so don’t try to do everything all at once and burn yourself to a crisp doing it. Work hard, rest hard. That’s the puppy way!
Be Grateful for Everything
Puppies are always grateful: food, snacks, toys, shelter, floor, leashes, games – they are well known for lavishing their gratitude on their owners. (so much drool…)
This is an important thing to take on as well. Show your gratitude to the employees who train you and help you, thank your interviewer for their time, and of course, thank your team for their time and assistance as you get on your feet. There’s no shame in showing your gratitude to others – someday, someone will be showing you gratitude and it certainly feels good! There’s no need to be stoic or standoffish about accepting help. You don’t have to go over the top with it – simple thank you’s go a long way in the workplace.
Now, there are a few things you don’t want to mimic puppies for – chewing furniture, drooling, barking, and piddling on the floor being a few of them! But the attitude of learning new things, being open to others, resting and taking things at your pace when you’re able to, and being grateful are all good soft skills that will stand you well in the workforce.
What animal do you think is a good one to mimic in the workplace? Sound off on our Facebook page!
