Maximising First Impressions: A Guide for UK Healthcare Professionals and Managers on Building Strong Initial Rapport
Congratulations, you have secured your dream position in the healthcare industry! But is the journey over?
Successfully securing your new position is a commendable feat. Still, fostering a positive rapport with your new manager is equally crucial to ensuring a prosperous career path. Likewise, as a healthcare manager, fostering an engaging environment and a good impression on new team members is equally pivotal.
So, let's discover how we can ensure a positive first impression:
TIPS For Nursing and Healthcare Professionals
Embrace Authenticity: It's essential to create an honest persona. Do not masquerade as the professional you think your new supervisor expects. Assumptions can lead to misunderstanding.
Wearing a façade could mean sustaining that image, which can be draining. Show your authentic professional self, avoiding overstating or understating your abilities.
Strive to present the best version of yourself and maintain transparency, including admitting errors when they occur.
Understand Your Manager’s Communication Style: In healthcare, communication can be as vital as clinical skills.
Grasp their preferred mode of communication - is it a phone call, an email, or a face-to-face conversation? A good understanding will enhance your professional relationship.
An approach suggested by the Harvard Business Review is directly asking your manager about their communication preference. This action clarifies things early and reflects your proactive attitude towards the role.
Recognise Your Manager's Expectations: Pay attention to the aspects your supervisor prioritises. What actions receive their commendation? What do they expect when they ask for exceptional work?
Once you understand what pleases them, aligning your actions to the organisation's and your supervisor's values can foster a positive impression. Ideally, your manager's values will mirror the organisation's values.
Fulfil Your Role Diligently: It's often the simple things that matter. Volunteering for additional projects is commendable, but the primary responsibility lies in your designated role.
To create a strong impression, adhere to task instructions and deadlines. Punctuality in meetings is essential, but delivering results is the key to sustaining your role.
Demonstrate Long-term Commitment: Your manager seeks a reliable team member who isn't going to leave at the next better opportunity.
Discuss your long-term vision with them in your 1-2-1s. Share your aspirations and inquire about potential growth pathways. A genuine demonstration of your seriousness towards the role can invite their support.
Tips For Healthcare Managers
Create a Welcoming Environment: A comfortable and supportive workplace can make the new team members feel valued from day one. Set the tone for a positive working culture.
Provide Clear Expectations: Make your expectations clear from the onset. A well-defined role and responsibilities can eliminate guesswork and make your new team member feel confident.
Engage in Two-Way Communication: Open channels for feedback and queries. It shows your willingness to listen and values their input, which creates an impression of a supportive manager.
Acknowledge Good Work: Regularly appreciate the efforts and achievements of your new recruit. Recognition can boost morale and make them feel seen and valued.
Support Professional Growth: Discuss their career aspirations and suggest ways they can grow within your team. Showing that you care about their future can foster a positive relationship from the start.
Creating a positive impression as a new healthcare professional or as a manager to a new recruit is about being authentic, understanding each other's communication styles, knowing expectations, fulfilling your roles, and demonstrating a commitment to the long haul. With these strategies, you're on the right path to building a robust professional relationship.
Beaulah Chizimba is the Founder of Limitless Nurses, a senior nurse leader, leadership coach and speaker. She writes about how health and care leaders at all levels can raise self-awareness, grow leadership skills, thrive and advance their professional success.