Joining a new ward can be scary, but showing genuine curiosity can help thaw cold first impressions, Elisabeth Mahase hears Sara Mirza, GP trainee, says, “Starting on a new ward as a doctor can feel disorienting, even when you’re experienced. The team has its dynamics, its shorthand, its existing loyalties—and you’re joining mid-story. Feeling unwelcome is more common than people admit, but it rarely reflects your ability. “Firstly, give it a fortnight before drawing conclusions. Cold first impressions often thaw with time and familiarity. That said, it’s worth remembering that the responsibility for a welcoming environment doesn’t lie solely with you. Teams have a duty to include new members, and if a consultant is distant, remember that says more about the culture than your worth. “Handovers are where invisibility tends to hurt most. If you’re being talked over or sidelined, arriving early and knowing your patients thoroughly helps—a confident, structured presentation signals that you belong in the room. If you’re interrupted, a calm ‘can I just finish the summary?’ is completely reasonable. “With cold or distant seniors, I’ve found it more effective to engage clinically rather than socially. Ask their view on a tricky management decision or flag an interesting finding. Most people warm up when they see genuine curiosity and a willingness to think out loud about uncertainty. “What you’re really navigating is psychological safety: the degree to which a team feels safe enough for honest, open contribution.1 New members often feel this deficit most acutely. Finding one ally early, such as a fellow doctor, a senior nurse, anyone who can informally introduce you to how the ward works, can change things quickly. Social belonging often spreads through one person first. “If things don’t improve, try to distinguish between a team that’s simply slow to warm versus one …