What to Share with Your Team as a New Hire

Key work preferences to communicate early on

Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash

Joining a new company (and team) is an exciting time in your career. Many professionals try to absorb as much information as possible during the onboarding phase. But this period isn’t just about the knowledge you receive. It’s also about giving your team the necessary information to effectively work with you.

Your work preferences symbolize how you work best. You should feel comfortable sharing this information at any time. However, the ideal time to share this is when you start working with a new team.

I’m writing this from the perspective of a new hire. When you join a team, use this post as a guide for your early conversations. I’ll mention which details you should share with your manager and teammates.

If you’re an engineering leader, this post will help you identify what to learn about your new teammate. If they don’t share this information with you, be proactive and ask for it. It helps extend a warm welcome to your new team member. And it shows your interest in learning more about them.

How do you prefer to receive feedback?

If you’ve never answered this question, now’s the time. Feedback, especially constructive, is arguably the best way to grow. It might be hard to hear sometimes. But if you embrace it with an open mind, you can use it to move you from your comfort zone to your growth zone.

After discovering your feedback style, you can share it with your manager, mentor, or co-workers.

How do you like to be contacted?

Some people hate email. Others dislike phone calls. It’s worth thinking about how you prefer to be contacted by your team.

Most companies use multiple methods of communication. If you prefer one method over another, let your team know. They might not always use that method, but at least now they know.

What is your typical work schedule?

If you work remotely with a distributed team, you probably have a different schedule than some of your co-workers. You and your team should openly share your work schedules if you want to respect each other’s time and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Most calendar apps, like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, allow you to set your working hours. Use this feature. It helps remind your co-workers when you’re available. And it can prevent meetings from getting scheduled outside of these hours.

I also recommend adding time blocks to your schedule when you need to focus or take a lunch break.

I’ve always found it helpful to know when my co-workers start and end their work day. I typically avoid contacting them during those times. I like to use that time to prepare and reflect on my day. And I’m sure many of them do as well.

What aspects of your identity do you want to share?

Beyond your work preferences, you might choose to share details about your identity, personality, and health.

Some examples of what you might want to share include:

• Pronouns

• Gender identity

• Physical disabilities

• Neurodivergent conditions

• Cultural distinctions

• Religious beliefs

While it's your choice how much personal information to share, being open about who you are can help foster understanding and create a more inclusive environment within your team.

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I understand it can be tough, and even scary, to share work preferences and personal information with your team. When you share details about yourself, it can feel like you’re being judged.

I used to be afraid to share some of this information early in my career. Will my co-workers resent me for leaving work early to pick up my child at daycare? What if my manager disregards my feedback preferences?

Remember that everyone on your team is unique, including you. Each person brings different identities, personalities, and preferences to the table. Embracing and supporting these differences can help build a welcoming and inclusive team.