What is *What to Do When You’re New* by Keith Rollag about?

*What to Do When You’re New* provides evidence-based strategies to overcome the anxiety of new social and professional situations. Keith Rollag, a Babson College leadership professor, combines 20+ years of research with practical advice on introducing yourself, remembering names, asking questions, and building relationships. The book emphasizes actionable steps to transform discomfort into confidence, making it a guide for thriving in unfamiliar environments.

Who should read *What to Do When You’re New*?

This book is ideal for professionals navigating career transitions, students starting college, relocators adapting to new cities, or anyone facing social interactions where they feel “new.” Rollag’s insights are particularly valuable for introverts, remote workers, and leaders managing team newcomers.

Is *What to Do When You’re New* worth reading?

Yes—readers praise its blend of academic rigor and relatable advice. Featured in *Success Magazine*’s “Best Books of 2015” and endorsed by *The New York Times*, it offers timeless tools for building social confidence. The 5-step framework for introductions and networking alone makes it a standout resource.

What are the main concepts in *What to Do When You’re New*?

Key concepts include: - **The Five Newcomer Challenges**: Introducing yourself, remembering names, asking questions, starting new relationships, and performing new tasks. - **The “Risk-Reward” Paradox**: Why avoiding social risks (e.g., not asking questions) harms long-term success. - **The 90-Second Rule**: Making strong first impressions through prepared self-introductions.

What frameworks does Keith Rollag propose for handling new situations?

Rollag’s **“Newcomer’s Roadmap”** framework includes: 1. Prepare a “personal pitch” for introductions. 2. Use association techniques to remember names. 3. Ask open-ended questions to build rapport. 4. Identify “connectors” who ease social integration. 5. Embrace deliberate practice to master new roles.

What are notable quotes from *What to Do When You’re New*?

- **“New situations are opportunities, not threats.”** - **“The quicker you take initiative, the faster you’ll feel at home.”** - **“Confidence comes from action, not the other way around.”** These quotes underscore the book’s theme of proactive adaptation.

How does *What to Do When You’re New* compare to *The First 90 Days* by Michael Watkins?

While both address transitions, Rollag focuses on **social and emotional hurdles**, whereas Watkins emphasizes **strategic career moves**. *What to Do When You’re New* offers more psychological tools for immediate interpersonal challenges, making it complementary to Watkins’ organizational strategies.

Can *What to Do When You’re New* help with remote work transitions?

Yes—it addresses digital-first onboarding, virtual introductions, and building trust remotely. Rollag’s “micro-connections” concept (e.g., brief video calls) aligns with hybrid work dynamics, helping newcomers establish visibility in dispersed teams.

What to Do When You’re New Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

What to Do When You’re New

Keith Rollag

3.11 (177 Reviews)

Psychology Communication skill Business Relationship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Master the art of being new with Keith Rollag's research-backed guide, featured in Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Learn three transformative mindsets that turn anxiety into opportunity. What's the one skill that determines success in every new situation? The answer will surprise you.

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary11min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card9 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun23min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Explore Your Way of Learning

What to Do When You’re New isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Psychology. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Top 9 Insights from What to Do When You’re New in a Nutshell

Distill What to Do When You’re New into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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What to Do When You’re New Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

Get the What to Do When You’re New summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

What to Do When You’re New

Keith Rollag

3.11 (177 Reviews)

Psychology Communication skill Business Relationship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary11min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card9 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun23min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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Why Walking Into a Room Full of Strangers Still Terrifies Us

00:00

Ever notice how your stomach drops when you walk into a networking event alone? That moment when you scan the room and everyone seems locked in animated conversation while you stand there clutching your drink like a life raft? You're not broken. You're human. That anxiety coursing through your veins is the same ancient alarm system that kept your ancestors alive when encountering strangers could mean genuine danger. Today, the stakes are coffee and small talk, but your brain hasn't gotten the memo-it's still operating like you're walking into a rival tribe's territory. This disconnect between our Stone Age wiring and modern social demands explains why, despite living in the most connected era in human history, we still feel that primal dread when entering unfamiliar territory. By six months old, babies already distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar faces, showing wariness toward strangers. Then we spend twelve years in school learning that asking questions is for classrooms only and that performances expose us to judgment. Add social media's parasocial relationships-where fictional characters can't reject us and are available 24/7-and we've created convenient substitutes that let us avoid the very face-to-face connections we desperately need. Understanding this biological legacy doesn't eliminate the anxiety, but it does something equally valuable: it normalizes it. That racing heart before introducing yourself isn't weakness-it's your prehistoric brain doing exactly what evolution designed it to do.

The Five Critical Skills That Determine Success in New Situations

Mastering Introductions and the Hidden Power of Small Talk

Why We Forget Names and the Science of Actually Remembering Them

Asking Questions Without Fear and Building Authentic Relationships

Performing Under Pressure by Shifting from "Being Good" to "Getting Better"

Becoming the Newcomer You Want to Be

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

What to Do When You’re New Summary in 11 Minutes

Break down key ideas from What to Do When You’re New into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 9 Insights from What to Do When You’re New in a Nutshell

Distill What to Do When You’re New into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

What to Do When You’re New Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

Experience What to Do When You’re New through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience What to Do When You’re New in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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What to Do When You’re New by Keith Rollag Summary

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What to Do When You’re New by Keith Rollag Summary

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Similar books to What to Do When You’re New

More Like This

Key Takeaways

Why Walking Into a Room Full of Strangers Still Terrifies Us

The Five Critical Skills That Determine Success in New Situations

Mastering Introductions and the Hidden Power of Small Talk

Why We Forget Names and the Science of Actually Remembering Them

Asking Questions Without Fear and Building Authentic Relationships

Performing Under Pressure by Shifting from "Being Good" to "Getting Better"

Becoming the Newcomer You Want to Be

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to What to Do When You’re New Summary in 11 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 9 Insights from What to Do When You’re New in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - What to Do When You’re New Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to What to Do When You’re New Summary in 0 Minutes

Download What to Do When You’re New PDF

Download What to Do When You’re New EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

Why Walking Into a Room Full of Strangers Still Terrifies Us

The Five Critical Skills That Determine Success in New Situations

Mastering Introductions and the Hidden Power of Small Talk

Why We Forget Names and the Science of Actually Remembering Them

Asking Questions Without Fear and Building Authentic Relationships

Performing Under Pressure by Shifting from "Being Good" to "Getting Better"

Becoming the Newcomer You Want to Be