Field note · 18 June 2026 · 6 min read
Your first 90 days in a German team
What to observe, ask and document while learning how your new organisation really works.
Your first three months are less about performing a national script and more about learning one organisation’s operating habits.
In the first two weeks
Map responsibilities. Who decides, who advises and who needs to be informed? Notice how meetings are prepared, where documents live and which channel people use for urgent requests.
By the first month
Ask your manager for a concrete example of strong work in your role. Confirm priorities and update rhythms. If colleagues use unfamiliar abbreviations or internal references, keep a glossary instead of pretending.
Before the probation review
Request feedback early enough to act. Bring a short record of completed work, open questions and dependencies. Ask what should continue, change and stop. A documented answer is more useful than a vague reassurance.