Changing placesÂ
My other half starts a new job this week. It’s exciting, slightly nerve-racking and, let’s be honest, this morning will probably involve a whirlwind of new faces, forgotten passwords and desperately trying to remember everyone’s name five seconds after they’ve introduced themselves.
It also got me thinking.
Every week, people in our network change firms. Most of us click “Congratulations!” on LinkedIn, add a 🎉 emoji and move on.
That’s a missed opportunity.
Whether you’re the one moving or someone in your network has just started a new role, the first few weeks matter. They’re when reputations are formed, relationships are strengthened and future opportunities often begin.
Here are three things we’d recommend. Enjoy.
#1. Don’t just congratulate them. Be useful.
Starting a new role is exciting, but it’s also overwhelming. New colleagues. New systems. New politics. New acronyms that apparently everyone else has known since birth.
So rather than sending another generic “Congratulations!”, ask yourself a simple question.
How could I genuinely make this person’s life a little easier?
If they’ve joined one of your clients, offer to explain how the organisation works. Introduce them to people they should know. Share something you’ve learnt that will help them settle in quicker.
People rarely remember who congratulated them on a promotion.
They almost always remember who helped them.
There’s a psychological principle called reciprocity. Human beings naturally remember those who invest in them. The important bit, though, is your mindset. Don’t help because you’re expecting an introduction, a referral or a new instruction next week. Help because it’s the right thing to do.
Ironically, that’s often when the good things happen.
Try this: Pick three people who’ve changed jobs in the last month. Send each of them a message offering one specific piece of help. No sales pitch. No hidden agenda. Just be useful.
#2. Tell a positive story about why you moved.
If you’re the one changing jobs, you’ll hear the same question over and over again.
“So… why did you move?”
Be ready for it.
The best answers aren’t about escaping your old firm. They’re about why you’re excited by your new one.
Talk about the opportunities. Talk about what attracted you. Talk about how your new platform allows you to deliver even more value to your clients.
People buy optimism. They don’t buy bitterness.
And whilst a polished LinkedIn announcement is nice, don’t stop there. Reach out personally to your key relationships. Pick up the phone. Send the email. Arrange the coffee.
Twenty thoughtful conversations will almost always outperform 500 LinkedIn likes.
Try this: Write down your answer to “Why did you move?” If it sounds like you’re running away from something rather than running towards something, rewrite it.
#3. Find the people who actually make the place work.
One of the biggest mistakes laterals make is spending all their time trying to impress partners and clients.
The smart ones do something different. They find the people who actually know how the business works.
- The EA who’s been there for 18 years.
- The BD manager who knows every client relationship.
- The finance team who can tell you where work is really growing.
- The IT person who can somehow bypass six weeks of bureaucracy.
- The receptionist who knows everyone’s name before you’ve even worked out where the toilets are.
Titles tell you who’s important. Experience tells you who’s useful.
These are the people who know where the bodies are buried, how decisions really get made and who you should (and perhaps shouldn’t) spend time with. They’ll save you hours of frustration, help you avoid unforced errors and quietly become some of your biggest advocates.
Treat them with respect. Buy them a coffee. Ask questions. Listen more than you talk.
They won’t appear in your business development plan.
They’ll probably become one of the biggest reasons it succeeds.
Try this: During your first month, book five coffees with people outside your immediate team. Ask them one question: “What’s the one thing every new joiner should know that nobody tells them?” The answers will be worth their weight in gold.
Chat to Tina by voice, when you’re between meetings, on the commute to/from work, or heading into something you’d rather avoid.
Final thoughtÂ
Changing jobs isn’t just a career milestone.
It’s one of the few moments when people are actively looking to build new relationships, establish new habits and create fresh opportunities.
Whether you’re the one moving or someone in your network is, don’t waste it.
Because whilst jobs change, great relationships rarely do.
We’re building a team of voice enabled AI assistants to support you with BD activities and allow you to spend more time being human. Interested? We’d love to chat.
