What questions should you ask during your one-on-ones with your cross-functional teams during your first month at the company?

Speaking to your cross-functional teams is the best way to gain a deeper understanding of your company’s goals, its processes and challenges. It’s also an excellent way to get to know your new coworkers!

I like to start by telling the person a little bit about myself, the parts that don’t show up on my resume. Beyond forming a real connection with the person you’re speaking to, sharing something about yourself will lead to greater trust.

In your conversations, make sure to include members of your team as well as other teams such as Support, Marketing, Sales and Data Science.

Here are a few questions I like to ask:

• What is your team’s biggest challenge?
• What is our users’ biggest pain points?
• How can I help you?
• What is our competition doing better than us?
• What is your preferred style of communication?
• Who do you recommend I speak to next?

The listening tour is what I love most while taking on a new role. I’m a social person and I love meeting people. What better than getting to know the people you are going to work closely with? I typically have a ledger that I carry with me into these 1:1 conversations with my cross functional team members and take notes diligently. This also helps me to organize those into themes. Towards the end of my 30-60-90 day ramp up, I do a share out of my perspective on what works, what doesnt and where we could do better.

Here is how my 1:1 conversations during the listening tour are structured -

• Introducing myself and getting to know them as an individual - How long have been here at the company? Where did they work prior? If they are comfortable, getting to know where they live, their family and what they enjoy doing in their personal life etc
• What is working well (product, team)?
• What is not working well (product, team)?
• Where can I and my team help the most?
• What is the best way to partner with your function and vice versa?