How do you earn the respect of a new team when you start a new job?
Even if you were the top performer at your last job, you still have something to prove when you start working with a new team. It takes time to establish new co-working relationships and even more time to show you have what it takes. When hired onto a new job it's natural to want to prove yourself. But how you approach this delicate entry is what the interviewer is trying to gauge. How anyone approaches building relationships while proving a strong work ethic at the same time is a tricky balancing act.
"I plan to get to know those on my team and prove to them, through my actions, that they can trust me to value their interests and the interest of the company. I treat all my working relationships with respect. We have similar goals, and we trade knowledge to accomplish those goals. Each of us takes part in the company's success, it takes communication to make it happen."
In this hypothetical situation, you'd want to express that you are grateful for the opportunity, and honored that they chose you for the position. So you've proven yourself to the extent that they chose you for the position, but the other members of your team have not interviewed you, so you still have a lot to prove to them. This requires humility as you learn the ropes. So express that you would be keen on learning all there is to learn, and an eagerness to prove your worth by working hard side by side with the rest of the team.
Making an effort, not just in your new role, but in your relationships with your new co-workers, is key. Learn how things are done. Get a firm grasp of their systems and why they were implemented. Ask questions not just of your supervisory staff, but your new coworkers as well. Prove you're not a sycophant and value your co-workers' input as well. Without their respect, your voice won't be heard. Once you have a broader sense of how they do things, and why they do them, then let your work experience and ingenuity pour in.
"I am always eager to contribute. But before I can contribute I need to survey the lay of the land. I want to build something whenever I am a part of something. Before I can build anything, I have to take a tour of the home they have invited me into. So I like to ask everyone I am working with to give me their tour. To earn respect, give respect first. That's my approach. Work hard to learn and work hard to get the job done while I'm learning. Innovation comes after."
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