Starting a new job involves an initial structured phase of learning fundamentals, followed by a more unstructured period where unspoken assumptions and unwritten standards emerge. This informal learning, often through observation, continues as ind...
Beginning a new job is typically understood as a transition phase because it involves getting accustomed to systems and knowing what is expected of you. It is thought of as something transitory and definable, in other words. As one goes along, he or she is supposed to become familiar with all that is around and gain confidence. Not much has been said about the inconsistencies and irregularities in this transition process, where the learning curve may not always point upwards.
In the beginning, there appears to be a concerted effort to comprehend the fundamentals. This phase is generally facilitated, whether officially or unofficially. What follows, however, is more unstructured. Deeper aspects of the role, such as unspoken assumptions and unwritten standards, start to emerge slowly but surely. Most organizational learning is accomplished informally by observing and modeling behaviors rather than receiving formal instruction, according to research published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior in 2018. Workers learn through nonverbal signals during conversations and other interactions, which often happen without their knowledge. Furthermore, there is an internal aspect of this phase that does not need to be articulated. One feels like a rookie, despite finishing the first phase. All tasks have been completed, all responsibilities fulfilled, but there remains a distinction between doing the job and owning the role. This is a transitional time for individuals who are still trying to define themselves professionally in a new setting, as stated in Human Relations studies in 2019.
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The reason why the learning curve becomes less apparent in such situations is that there is no endpoint. At no particular point will one say that the process is finished. Rather, it will just blend seamlessly into daily activities. Initially, there was uncertainty; however, with time, things become familiar, not in totality, but rather in bits and pieces. The process continues in this case, although unnoticed.
