The Secret to Cracking the Code at Work

Dec 14

The Real Work Begins After the First Day

It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about knowing how to connect with the people you’re working with.

"Communication works for those who work at it." – John Powell

When I first stepped into my first job, I thought I was ready. I had the technical skills, the degree, and the drive to succeed. But what I didn’t realize was that understanding workplace dynamics is one thing—navigating them? That’s an entirely different story.

It often felt like being dropped into a foreign country without a map. The language, the customs, and the unspoken rules were completely unfamiliar. And trying to figure it out through trial and error? That was both exhausting and risky.

I remember one of my first professional environments clearly. I’d walk into meetings confident in my abilities, ready to dive headfirst into projects, only to find myself completely misreading the room—or worse, the situation. I’d be blindsided by unspoken expectations I didn’t even know existed.

At the time, I thought being good at my specific project assignments was enough. Deliver results, meet deadlines, and everything else would fall into place. It didn’t. What I learned quickly was that knowing how to communicate and align with the team wasn’t just important—it was everything.

Here’s a scenario that might resonate: You join a new team. You’re eager to impress, so your instinct is to email your manager with updates and questions—after all, that’s what worked during your internship. But in this environment, it rubs them the wrong way. They prefer face-to-face conversations or quick Slack messages. Without realizing it, your proactive effort comes across as annoying or inefficient.

That’s the challenge with workplace dynamics. Even when you’re coming from a good place, if you’re not tuned into the environment, things can go sideways.

Over time, I realized that communication isn’t just about saying the right things—it’s about saying them the right way, to the right people, in a way that resonates. Even if you don’t fully understand the dynamics yet, taking the time to fine-tune your interactions goes a long way in building trust and credibility.

That’s the key: staying curious, listening, and adapting. It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about knowing how to connect with the people you’re working with. That’s where the real growth happens.

The Problem with Default Communication

When you don’t know better, it’s natural to stick to communication methods that have worked before. I’ve seen this play out over and over again—new hires using what worked in school or past jobs, not realizing it’s clashing with the new culture. Every workplace has its own unspoken rhythm, and it’s easy to miss the beat when you’re relying on old patterns.

For leaders, this can feel like frustration bubbling under the surface: “Why don’t they just understand how we do things here?” And for recent grads, it’s a quiet kind of anxiety: “Why do I keep missing the mark?” The good news? These are barriers, not walls—and barriers can be crossed.

The Solution: Bridge the Gap with Practice

Whether you’re leading the team or just starting out, the key to overcoming these barriers lies in proactive communication and a willingness to practice.

For Leaders:

Role-Playing Exercises: Take time with your team to practice common workplace interactions, from giving updates to addressing conflict. This is how old habits are broken, and new ones are formed. By showing your team how to communicate effectively within your organization’s culture, you set them up for success.
Create Psychological Safety: Encourage your team to ask questions about communication preferences and workplace norms without fear of judgment. When they feel safe to experiment, they’ll adapt more quickly.
Be Open About Your Own Style: One of the best things I’ve seen leaders do is share how they’ve grown into their communication style. Explaining your preferences—and how they’ve evolved—gives others permission to do the same.

For Recent Grads and Emerging Leaders:

Ask for Guidance: Don’t be afraid to approach your boss and say, “How do you prefer updates? Is there a specific way you’d like me to handle this?” It’s not just about asking—it’s about listening and adapting.
Fine-Tune Your Approach: Pay attention to how your manager and colleagues communicate. Observe patterns in tone, timing, and medium. Then, adjust your style to align with theirs.
Leverage Role-Playing: Ask your mentor or a trusted colleague to help you simulate common scenarios, like pitching an idea or delivering bad news. Practicing these interactions can help you understand not just what to say but how to say it.

A Personal Perspective

Looking back, the best thing I ever did was ask questions. At first, it felt awkward—admitting I didn’t know the “right way” to approach someone or bring up an idea. But every time I asked, I gained a new piece of the puzzle. I learned how to adapt my style without losing my voice. And over time, I stopped feeling like I was trying to fit in and started feeling like I belonged.

If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: Curiosity and humility will get you further than confidence ever will.Confidence comes later, once you’ve put in the work to truly understand the people and environment around you.