Obus! I blew it up. I thought that your jokes were smart and funny and when no one laughed in your new team (but a few people chant), you realized that you had got a negative initial impression of your first day at work.

Are you running and hiding? Leave? It pretends to be another language (and did not translate the joke well)?

no. When something like this happens, it is important to realize that you have tried to show your humorous and fun side of your new colleagues and have not descended properly. There is a way to move forward – but work for you.

Read after that: How do you know if your company is really concerned with employing old warriors

The first impression is important because when people make up early perceptions:

• Do you look smart?
• Will it be someone I can go to with a question?
• Are they after my work?
• Can I work with him?

Imagination is important because – right or wrong – this is what we think is true. We realize people and form opinions about who they are and what they represent, based on our interactions and experiences with them.

Using the above example, here you can do:

1. Go ahead and do not say anything

Over time, your team will see you as you are, and if the humor is part of your brand and your personality, it will be estimated (or you are asked to tame it a little). If the humor was not something you bring to most conversations, and the poor joke for one time, know that you tried something different and did not work. Learn from that experience and refrain from repeating it.

2. I apologize and move

Publicly (for the team) or one on one, you can share your remorse for sharing such a joke. If the joke may be offensive, you may have other problems: Human resources can contact you to remind you of the company’s harassment policies. After apologizing, try to act as “normal” as possible, given that this is a new task and a lot is uncommon. Over time, and if you do not repeat the error, your team should receive you as a professional who is to work.

3. I apologize and explain

If your sense of humor is a special aspect of your personal brand and personality, and refrain from sharing jokes, you will feel collapsed, you can apologize and clarify that the joke was not aimed at annoying anyone. Sharing this humor is how to build society and the teams.

You can explain that your sense of humor is well received by your peers and colleagues, and it is clear that this joke was wrong to start with it. Then while sharing the appropriate humor in meetings and conversations, make sure that you do not do so to distract attention or disruption. Sometimes, humor can spread tension or add levity, which is very appreciated in hot situations. When it’s not appropriate, it reduces your credibility and sincerity.

Fixing the first negative impression can take time, intention and effort. You will need to show your team that you are not a bad or inappropriate person and that you are taking your work seriously. You may need to hold individual conversations with the main stakeholders (such as your business president and your direct reports) to reassure them that you are a committed member of the group and clarify your intentions and humor.

It also explains over and over again who you and what you represent – consolidate your actions in your values ​​- you can gain their confidence and respect.

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