Starting a new role

[Miss]

Finally beginning to feel like I’m winning in my new role in a new school. How long has it taken others to settle in?

Discussion

[Jen]

Can take years… can be a term or two.

I think maintaining a positive mindset and sticking with your mission is key to the ‘success’ of settling in. Hope it all goes well for you, Sandip!

[Miss]

Thanks Jen, I agree sticking with your mission is key.

[B Yusuf – Teach Lead Coach]

It can take at around 12 to 18 months, on average…

[Miss]

It could Bukky, I’ve set myself targets and perhaps I need to re-evaluate and recognise what I’ve done so far and that the rest will take time. Thanks for the reply.

[Toria]

I think it depends on how well that role sits with someone. For me, roles that have sat naturally with me have taken seconds to become comfortable in – like my current teaching and coaching roles. Other roles (like headship) I never got used to.

[Miss]

That’s a really interesting take Toria. It’s so important to listen to your gut. Did how long did you stay on those positions before deciding that they weren’t for you?For me, I think I underestimated the level of change that comes with starting at a new workplace.

[Toria]

I stayed on headship two years and when I became very ill I knew I had to leave. I think I’d have kept going but my body started screaming at me.

[Alison]

Such an interesting question. I think it depends on why you’ve started a new role in a new setting.

If it’s because you felt you had no other option but to leave then feelings of anxiety to not fall into another difficult situation can make you overcompensate everything to get things right and to feel included. That’s emotionally exhausting which could make the settling in process to be drawn out even though you’re grateful to be there.

If it’s because it was time – left on a high to better things, going from a positive place will accelerate settling in

If it’s because of a change in circumstances – having to move home etc, then homesickness could slow the process. The grass will look greener on the other side

Whatever the reason – the culture in the new setting will impact hugely. If it’s a culture of healthy belonging – you’ll soon settle in because you feel accepted and valued. If its culture of unhealthy belonging where you have to adapt yourself to fit in then I don’t think you’ll ever settle fully

[Mandy Preville-Findlay]

Keep Going Sandip! I think it’s relative. So many factors impact this, including workplace ethos.

[Miss]

❤️

[Jen]

Spot on.

[Alison]

❤