Proficiency Check | Building Credibility

Last week, I wrote about owning your onboarding, so I thought I'd dive a little deeper into that this week with small wins.

Most people walk into a new job thinking they need to prove themselves right away — big projects, bold ideas, dazzling presentations. But the truth? You earn credibility not by doing everything, but by doing something small really well.

That’s how you build trust and momentum.

Start with what is useful, not flashy

I know starting a new job can be intimidating. You're new and might think that's a disadvantage. But actually, having fresh eyes is a superpower, especially in the right team.

Maybe the people on your team have worked at the company for 20+ years. They may be too set in their ways to see things from a fresh perspective, but you, being new, are primed and ready to notice things and ask questions.

You’ll see the little things everyone else has stopped noticing: the outdated template, the confusing process, the shared drive full of 87 versions of “final_final_noreallyfinal.docx.”

Find one small thing you can make better. And when you do, take action. It doesn’t have to change the world; it just has to make someone’s day easier.

• Clean up a messy folder structure
• Fix a broken link in a shared resource
• Organize a meeting agenda so it’s actually useful

Even documenting a simple process that no one’s ever written down (like your responsibilities) is a step in the right direction. Those are the quiet, practical wins that make people say, “Oh wow, you’re on it.”

Ask “What would make your life easier this month?”

Ask your manager. Ask your peers. Ask the person who always seems a little buried in emails.

When you frame it that way, you’re not just asking for tasks — you’re offering help. You’re positioning yourself as someone who solves problems instead of waiting for direction. As the company's first ever Learning Program Manager, I set up 1:1s with my team members to ask them one simple thing "What's your main frustration at work?" because I want to design processes and systems that will actually support them.

I noticed that they have a chaotic filing system and presented them with a solution. The team was thrilled someone was taking on a task they've found overwhelming. The team's organization might feel small, but it's going to have a larger impact as the team grows. And taking on that one small win builds credibility, trust, and freedom to take on bigger things later.

Small wins have a ripple effect — they show how you think. When people see you spot a gap, ask good questions, and quietly fix something, they start to see you as reliable, capable, and resourceful. That’s when you stop being “the new person” and start being “someone we can count on.”

Be careful not to overcommit.

Here’s the trap: once you get a few small wins, it’s easy to overcommit. You don't want to say yes to everything, especially as you're still learning about the company and team needs. Focus on small, consistent matters more than speed and quantity.

Pick one or two wins that really matter — and see them through. Remember: success in a new role isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things well. It doesn't have to be flashy or loud. Just build trust — one small, steady win at a time.

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