The "New" Boy Phenomenon

Sharing a personal experience that happened when I was 11 years old and has stuck with me since then.

I had changed schools when I was in the 5th grade. For the first 3 days, various teachers asked me if I had done the home assignment and I used to plead ignorance, telling them that that I was a "new" boy and had just joined the school. Hence I didn't know that there was an assignment that was to be completed.

The 4th day, I had my first math class and again I was asked if I had done the assignment. I pleaded the same ignorance but to my surprise, I was thrown out of the class and asked to stand outside. The message I was given was that I had 3 days to find out from my other classmates and could have done the assignment.

That taught me the lesson of personal ownership, accountability, proactiveness and zero tolerance for excuses.

Fast forward 23 years later, I still see similar situations where new employees or project team members expect leeway just because they are new to the work or situation.

I have often found myself "enlightening" these folks (on the 4th day :))by sharing the "new" boy story.

Funny enough, the story has been very effective in driving the message and desired behavioral changes.