What are some good questions I can ask about company during the director’s interaction with my team and during one on one interaction to build good rapport and reputation at my new organisation?

Anonymous

July 22,2023 at 6:25AM UTC

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What are some good questions I can ask about company during the director’s interaction with my team and during one on one interaction to build good rapport and reputation at my new organisation?

I have recently joined a product based company as a senior developer after a maternity break of 1.5 yr. It’s Been a month into my new role and still am trying to get a grip of on going business , projects and technologies being used.

Many projects are migrating from old tech stack and embracing new technologies to make the company more profitable in this digital era.

I am still in process of understanding at high level several ongoing projects, jobs that are already running, other new technologies being embraced throughout organisation. There’s lot going across the organisation and so much more going on in my own project team at fast pace, building everything from scratch with steep learning curve and tight deadlines that I’m struggling to find time to get to know other stuff on high level. Feels like I am hanging onto last thread, surviving and just getting things done. I am confident I can do well as time goes by and I understand things gradually.

After a bit of background above , coming to the actual point:

Came to know that our boss’s boss(Regional Head/Director) will be visiting our office and interacting with our team and with individual 1 on 1 with tentative Team lunch with director, manager and team mates.

With my limited knowledge of what’s going on beyond my own project team, what are some good questions I can shoot to my boss’s boss during our interaction that can build our rapport, my reputation in positive way and showcase my investment and interest into my role and project/ organisation success.

Also , I will be seeing my new team/colleagues during this meeting for first team after remote working since joining this organisation.

We interact regularly and help each other and get along well , but it still gets on my nerves at the thought of team lunch with my new team, manager and director.

Any ideas are highly appreciated. Thank you.

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HJeanJuly 22,2023 at 5:06PM UTC
Sounds like a great opportunity! I suggest asking questions that could provide you more insight while boosting the pride and confidence of the Director. Examples:
-Which recent technological innovations are you most excited about?
-What do you think has attributed to the growth of our company(or department) in the last year?
-In which department/project area are you hoping to see the most improvement over the next 6 months?
-How can my role/team best contribute to the overall success of the organization?
If you feel nervous or intimidated by senior management, remember that people are simply people, regardless of title, status, hierarchy or celebrity. Everyone has their own job to do, authenticity and collaboration are key.
You've got this!
AnonymousJuly 25,2023 at 5:24PM UTC
Breathe, first of all breathe, you are making far too much of this. The best way to get to know these folks and really get to know them is to ask them how they got to the company, what the like most about it and how they will interact with you and what should you go to them for if you get stuck. You should be prepared to share the same things about yourself with them. Keep it about work and business with a smidge of personal but don't sit and talk about your kids all the time. Definitely let people know that you want to learn more about the things you don't know about and ask for the best resources to reach out to to do this. Get 1-1 time even 15 minutes with each person and focus on them and take notes. Use this information as you go back after this meeting to continue to develop the relationships. You can ask for mentors in some areas if you still feel blank on some sections of the business to learn more. Maybe suggest a lunch and learn? One thing to not do is if there is drinking (often these do happen in excess) stay sober. I have run many of these types of meetings and found some folks use this as a party event and not a work event. I'm not saying be too serious definitely be light but don't overdo. As for being worried about manager and director. Teach them about how you like to be managed, I always say manage your manager. Ask them what you can do to make their job easier. That response should say a lot. You're in absorption mode now and frankly so new in the org you still need to be a sponge. Give it 90-120 days before you feel panicked, I am sure they understand the complexities of what you're going through.