Songs for starting a new role in government

Ella Dorfman is Senior Service Designer at the Home Office, UK Government.

As the new year gets under way, you might be thinking about trying something new. Maybe you’re starting a new role or thinking about going for a promotion.

Last year I started a new role at the Home Office and I want to share what I’ve learned. To make it memorable I’m doing it through the medium of song. More specifically via one of the bestselling music icons of all time–and a personal favourite–Whitney Huston.

Here are three great songs that will help you succeed when you start a new role in government.

🎼I wanna dance with somebody

Dancing with somebody is possibly not the first piece of advice you’d expect when reading about starting a new job in government, but please hear me out.

When Whitney says “Oh I wanna dance with somebody, I wanna feel the heat with somebody” she’s reminding us how important it is for us to build meaningful relationships with others.

You might not want to dance with your colleagues, at least not right away, but getting to know them in a way that suits you is crucial to success in a new role.

When you’re new it helps if you can do something with workmates that’s not strictly work related. If you are co-located you might want to grab some lunch together. There are also ways you can get to know each other better when you’re working remotely.

Get to know people properly and you’ll build the trust and understanding you need to collaborate and work effectively.

🎶Top tip

Spend time getting to know your colleagues - feel the “heat”

🎼Step by step

Possibly a lesser known song, but certainly worth a listen when thinking about a new job. In this song Whitney tells us she’s “taking it step by step, bit by bit, stone by stone, brick by brick”, When starting a new role, you should do the same.

There’s so much to get your head around when you start a new job and you’ll be learning all the time. The key is remembering that you might make a few minor mistakes. You certainly will need to ask for help once in a while. Both are okay. Nobody is perfect and everyone was new once.

Be patient with yourself and you’ll be feeling confident and fully capable in no time at all.

🎶Top tip

Don’t give yourself a hard time - take it step by step, bit by bit

🎼Higher Love

If you only listen to one of Whitney’s song’s before you start a new role, make it this one. In this classic song Whitney says “Bring me a higher love, it’s that higher love I keep thinking of”.

When you start a new role you should keep thinking about your higher love. Ask yourself, can I confidently answer the question “what_ is my_ higher love?”

Given all the twists and turns that working in the civil service can bring, it’s less about what other people say and do and much more about understanding what’s important to you. If you are super clear on your personal objectives it will be easier to unlock your full potential and maintain motivation.

Find out what drives you and you’ll do your best work. Who can ask for more than that?

🎶Top tip

Focus on what motivates you - keep thinking of your higher love

If you are starting a new role or considering applying for something I hope you find some inspiration here.

Listen to the songs and remember to feel the heat with your colleagues, take it step by step as you learn the ropes and most importantly, keep thinking of your higher love.

Inspired by Ella's lessons from Whitney, we're building a Music for Civil Servants playlist so Spotify doesn't have to. You can contribute your favourite songs over on the Q&A, or if it's more of a guilty pleasure, you can submit anonymously. We'll keep adding songs to the playlist all year long so get submitting!

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