A New Manager's Tribal Survival Guide

Imagine you're a Stone Age wanderer stumbling upon a campfire. Cold and hungry, you desperately need to join that tribe. But just like existing teams may be wary of new managers, tribal people are often suspicious of newcomers. Here are some ideas to get accepted by your new tribe/team. 1. Show You Mean No Harm First impressions are vital. Strangers approaching a prehistoric tribe would raise their hands to show they're unarmed, signaling peaceful intentions. In today's office, this translates to taking a passive, observant role. Avoid sweeping changes or harsh judgments that might signal disruption. Instead, be more of a listener than a speaker initially, ensuring the team sees you as non-threatening. 2. Find Your Ally Within the Tribe Newcomers to a tribe shouldn't approach alpha members immediately; they already have enough allies. A smart move is to align with someone who's also looking for an alliance. This doesn't mean singling out the "weakest link" negatively. Seek out team members who are newer, less connected, or not in roles directly competing with yours. Mutual support solidifies both your places in the team. 3. Observe First, Act Later Both tribes and teams have explicit and implicit social norms. Violating these can alienate you. Pay close attention to meeting dynamics, influential players, and unwritten rules that dictate the team's culture. Acting without this awareness could get you marginalized, regardless of your managerial status. 4. Find Your Unique Value Next, it's time to contribute. Assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses to find a gap you can fill. Whether it's a neglected project or a lacking skill set, identify this niche. By focusing there, you add value without overlapping others' roles, thus earning respect and influence. While our work environments have evolved, core human interaction dynamics remain remarkably constant. Our ancestors spend millions of years in tribe life. We all have a "tribe people complex" living in our deep psyche. New managers can benefit from these timeless social strategies. If you are not afraid of reading ancient text: "The Prince" by Nicolo Machiavelli, gives many insights into the darker facets of human nature. You will be surprised how much Machiavelli's political philosophy still applies to our modern day corporate life!