Pressured to prove yourself in a new job?

When you start a new job, there's a lot of pressure to prove yourself. Here are some tips on how to best handle:

Think positively:
You may feel insecure, especially at first, and you may even suffer from imposter syndrome. Don't let self-doubt get the better of you, and try not to get consumed by trying to prove yourself.

Project professionalism:
Be confident, but not overconfident, or you'll risk being perceived as arrogant. Go in with a collaborative mindset and demonstrate that you’re someone with a depth of knowledge but who also wants to learn and help.

Build bridges:
Schedule a series of one-on-ones with your new peers and team, or invite them out for coffee or lunch and ask about how you can best work together. Seek to understand perspectives and ask for input.

Understand team dynamics:
Acquire an understanding of the dynamics of the team. Who does your boss trusts and listens to, and who other people on the team defer to. Understand how people operate, how communication flows, and how decisions get made.

Take time to learn:
Temper your eagerness to share ideas about how the team should run and where the business ought to focus. There is nothing to be gained by coming in noisy and it might rub people the wrong way. Instead, sit back and listen, and figure out your role and then decide how to best offer value.

Value relationships:
Don't lose sight of that relationships matter most. What your peers think about you is important, and what your boss thinks about you is very important.

Inspired by: Harvard Business Review - How to Prove Yourself After a Promotion, by Rebecca Knight