Introduction When you join a new company, someone will probably tell you, “Don’t worry. Just take some time to settle in.” It sounds like good advice. After all, starting a new job can be overwhelming. There are new people, processes, systems, expectations, and ways of working. Naturally, you need time to understand your surroundings. But there is a problem with the “settle in” mindset. If you spend your first few months simply waiting to feel comfortable, you may lose the most valuable period of your transition. Your first 90 days are not just a period for settling in. They are a period for learning, building relationships, creating credibility, and understanding how you can make an impact. Why “Just Settle In” Can Hold You Back When people are told to settle in, they often become passive. They attend meetings, complete assigned tasks, observe what others are doing, and wait for someone to tell them what they should focus on. There is nothing wrong with observing. In ...
Introduction Jeff Bezos, the visionary behind Amazon and one of the richest men on Earth, once shared a poignant story from his childhood that profoundly shaped his perspective on life. As a young boy spending summers with his grandparents on their Texas ranch, Bezos recalls moments of youthful curiosity and a keen knack for numbers. Amidst the pastoral backdrop and family camaraderie, a pivotal incident unfolded during a road trip that left an indelible mark on his young mind. Bezos and the Lesson on Cleverness versus Kindness During one fateful journey, a ten-year-old Bezos, brimming with the innocent confidence of childhood, decided to apply his mathematical prowess in an unexpected manner. Troubled by his grandmother's smoking habit and armed with the statistical insights from a public health campaign, he calculated aloud the cumulative impact of her smoking on her lifespan. In a bid to impress his grandparents with his clever arithmetic, Bezos proudly informed his grandmother ...