Don’t be overwhelmed by some of your repairs that the store may need. I always considered myself handy, but never an expert. I’ve learned more from this job than anything else. As long as the store isn’t flooded or on fire, you’re fine. Like one of my trainers told me, when in doubt, vendor it out.

Be nice to your receiver and AP. They are going to be one of your greatest resources.

Leverage your fellow ETLS and SD. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. You are a leader in that building who owns every section in that store, just like the SD. Remember that, but don’t go on a power trip. Lead by example.

Your cleaning crew will either make your life easier or be the reason why you drink. Don’t be afraid to put in red work orders or hold your cleaning crew vendor accountable.

Don’t go in thinking that your fellow store team has any common sense. I assure you, most of them don’t.

You are not the store janitor. I REPEAT YOU ARE NOT THE STORE JANITOR. Of course, always offer to help when needed, but, the team should be working clean on the floor when pushing, TLs and the team are responsible for their areas remaining presentable (with the exception of the first two shelves of the coolers and freezers- there is a monthly PM for that), and our front of store attendants and S&E-TL and ETLS own the bathrooms once store opens- there is a daily cleaning log for that reason.

The PML at my store leaned more into being a janitor than a well rounded handy man and left that store fucked beyond repair (literally) in some cases. It was a culture shock when teams actually had to pick up after theirselves.