Designing Structure in a New Role

Welcome back to Everyday Leader. Shannon here with Conrad. Today I want to talk about something that's been showing up with a lot of the folks I get to work with -- and I want to get your take on it, Conrad.

What I've been seeing is people starting new jobs -- coming off a transition, fresh into something new -- and showing up with what I'd call hyperfocus. Everything goes to the new job. Nothing else gets any attention.

Yes -- and I had two responses to that at once. One was: you've got to double down, you just got a job. And the other was: what a great opportunity to bring in the structure you need. What if a fresh start is the perfect moment to ask -- what structure will actually support me now?

That's the leadership skill I want to highlight today: when you're going into something new, how do you create structures that work? How do you decide what habits and rhythms to keep, what to adjust, and how to integrate a new opportunity into an already full life?

Before you even say yes, start by collecting data. What does the schedule actually look like? How much travel is involved? What are the real time demands? Be clear on what you want and need before you commit. That's step one.

Step one is collecting data from the people you'll be working with or for. And also doing that design work with yourself. What am I willing to give up? What am I not willing to give up? What needs to stay protected? What are you actually saying yes to here?

The core question is this: what structure do you need to integrate this job into your life -- rather than integrating your life into this job?

That's a great distinction. You are a whole person with inherent needs, desires, purpose. The job is what you do in the world. The question is how you bring that work into your life in a way that doesn't erase everything else. Start with the schedule -- what are you protecting for yourself, your family, your community? What needs to be preserved during weekdays and weekends? Then look at what the role actually requires, and find the place where those two things can meet.

And I know from experience that the temptation is to just show up on day one and let the job take over -- whatever they need, whatever they want. I've done it. Most people have. This conversation is about doing something different. So let me pull together what we've built here into a simple framework. Under the umbrella of Structure, there are three S's: Schedule -- the tangible, day-to-day design of your time. Success -- what you want to be able to say you've contributed, in 90 days and in the first year. And Strategy -- the how. How do you get from here to there while keeping what matters protected?

I love that. And I want to add a fourth S as an anchor: the whole thing is in service of Sustainability. The framework isn't just for a new job -- it applies to any new opportunity, relationship, or commitment. Try the three S's. Let us know how it goes.

We'd love to hear. Be well, everyone.