I am a Manager of Clinical Quality in a large teaching hospital. Recently my manager took a new job in another city. A new manager has been hired from outside the hospital and will start work in one week. Colleagues who know this person describe him as driven and difficult to work with. I love my job and want to build a good relationship with the new manager, but his reputation concerns me.

D. F., Washington, DC

Employees naturally have some level of concern and curiosity whenever a new manager arrives at an organization. These reactions are complicated when the manager's reputation is negative in any way. The relationship between you and this individual will be important to your success. There are several recommendations you may want to consider during the new manager's first few weeks at your hospital.

• Postpone any personal judgment

  The comments you have heard about this person may be accurate, and then again, they may be way off the mark. While some people may have had difficulty with this manager, others may have had a completely different experience. If you accept the opinions of others as valid, it may impact the way you relate to the new manager during your initial meetings. Give the new manager the benefit of the doubt, and make your own judgments after you get to know him.

• Act like a leader-

  When your new manager is finally on board, he will want to meet individually with each of his direct reports. Planning for that initial meeting will be critical for you. Anticipate questions he may ask and be ready with concise answers. Determine what you would like to accomplish in this meeting. What is the one thing you want to communicate, above all else, in this meeting? Be aware that your colleagues will be devoting a great deal of time in preparation for their first meeting with the new boss and will be pushing their own agendas.

• Be solutions focused

  The new manager will, most likely, want to know your perception of the key issues facing the organization. His expectation will be that you will have some recommendations to address these issues. As you prepare for this first meeting, do your homework regarding his personal style. If he is a detail person, you could go so far as to prepare a binder with recommendations, and if applicable, organization and process flow charts. If he is a more casual, social type of person, then leave the binder behind and make your points in a more casual style. But whatever his style, be ready with identified issues and recommendations.

The bottom line in establishing a relationship with your new manager is to be positive, upbeat and solutions focused. Please keep me informed over the next few weeks and months regarding how things develop.