The zero hero

When you're new at a job, people will perceive you in one of three ways.

As a minus one: someone who actively creates problems. As a zero: your impact is neutral and doesn't deviate one way or the other. Or as a plus one: someone who actively adds value.

The goal is to be zero at first.

Here's why: you don't yet know what you don't know—and regardless of your abilities, there will definitely be something you don't know.

The colleagues you'll meet have already spent considerable time at the company. They've tried many approaches and solved countless problems. They understand the nuanced context behind every process and decision.

Proactively proposing solutions without understanding these underlying situations will create more work for your new colleagues and quickly make you the least favorite person in the room.

Being a zero means you're competent enough not to create problems or generate additional work for everyone else.

And that's not a bad thing. Being zero allows you to observe and fully understand your new environment. Understanding the company's culture makes it easier to build trust—and trust is the first step to demonstrating competence.

If you want to succeed at your job, you need to solve the right problems. Not just any problems, but the right problems. Being certain you're solving the right problems takes time and careful observation.

To know what you're doing, you need to first follow the established standards.

Some people, however, want to be a plus one from day one. But proclaiming plus-one status from the start virtually guarantees they'll be perceived as a minus one, regardless of the skills they bring to the table. This might seem self-evident, yet so many people fall into this trap.

The most effective path to success in a new role is deceptively simple: become competent before trying to become irreplaceable. Master the fundamentals before attempting to revolutionize them. Earn your credibility through consistent, reliable performance before pushing for dramatic change.

The zero-to-plus-one progression isn't just a strategy—it's a natural evolution. When you start as a thoughtful zero, you're not being passive or unambitious. You're being strategic. You're building the foundation that will support all your future contributions.

Once you understand the landscape, know the players, and grasp the real challenges, your transition from zero to plus one becomes inevitable. Your ideas will be informed by context. Your solutions will address actual needs. Your contributions will be welcomed because they're built on understanding, not assumption.

As Morgan Freeman wisely said, "Learn to sit back and observe. Not everything needs a reaction."

The journey from zero to plus one begins with the wisdom to start at zero. Embrace it, master it, and then—when the time is right—make your move..

Cheers,

Marek