When we think of our worst employee, we often blame their lack of motivation or competency. However, what if I told you that their shortcomings could be traced back to your actions as a leader?
Yes, it's true. The responsibility of creating a successful and productive workforce lies with you—the employer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential elements of onboarding new employees, ensuring their success, and ultimately improving your company's overall performance.
Setting Expectations: The Key to Success
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Expectations play a vital role in any employee's performance. Think of it like telling your kid to make their bed. If you simply say, "Johnny, go make your bed," chances are it will be haphazardly done. However, if you specify, "Johnny, go make your bed like a five-star hotel would," the outcome will be quite different. The same principle applies to setting expectations in the workplace.
Even experienced hires will default to their previous job's rules until you set new expectations. For instance, if a corporate employee joins your small team, they might hesitate to speak up during meetings because they were previously penalized for doing so. To overcome this, make it a priority to clearly communicate your expectations, both verbally and in writing. Add them to the job description and reinforce them throughout the onboarding process. By aligning expectations with your company's needs, you foster a culture that encourages success.
Matching Job Expectations with Job Conditions
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One common mistake many companies make is painting an overly optimistic picture when hiring new employees. They promise flexible working hours, no weekend work, and other perks, only to later discover that these conditions were unrealistic. This mismatch between expectations and actual job conditions can quickly lead to disappointment and a negative work environment.
To avoid this, it's crucial to set expectations that accurately reflect the realities of the role. Ideally, you should aim to underpromise and overdeliver. By setting expectations slightly lower than the actual job conditions, you create a positive surprise for your employees. For example, if you know the job requires substantial effort and cleanup, communicate this upfront, so the new hire is prepared and positively surprised when the job turns out to be better than expected.
Creating Context for Success
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Alongside setting expectations, providing context is essential for employee success. Contextual knowledge helps employees understand their role's purpose, the company's mission, and how their work fits into the bigger picture. Without this understanding, employees may make decisions that don't align with your vision or objectives.
Context can be divided into two categories: company-specific and role-specific. Company-specific context includes understanding the company's values, behavior, goals, and philosophies. Sharing this knowledge ensures employees are aligned with your company's vision, creating an enthusiastic and strategic workforce.
Role-specific context, on the other hand, focuses on the specific requirements and expectations of the employee's job. This includes the current workflow, key performance indicators, systems used, and meeting cadence. Providing this information enables employees to make better decisions and contribute more effectively to their role.
Effective Onboarding: Mirror the Future
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One area often overlooked is the onboarding process itself. Many companies create an intensive onboarding program for the first week, only to leave new hires to fend for themselves afterward. However, successful onboarding should align with the future expectations of the role.
If your company operates in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, be upfront about it during onboarding. This ensures that new hires are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. Likewise, if support and guidance are crucial to job success, ensure that the onboarding process reflects this level of assistance. By mirroring the future work environment, you prevent potential surprises and contribute to long-term employee retention.
Retaining Talent Starts with Onboarding
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To effectively retain talent and create a positive employee experience, consider the following strategies:
1. Facilitate introductions to key leaders: Allowing new employees to interact with leaders fosters mentorship opportunities and builds a sense of connection within the company.
2. Swag package: Sending a personalized swag package creates a sense of belonging and reinforces the company's unique culture.
3. Founder-driven onboarding: If you don't have an HR department, take the initiative to personally onboard new hires. Share the company's vision, mission, and quarterly goals to provide them with a strong foundation.
4. Team support and recognition: Encourage existing team members to welcome and offer guidance to new employees. Recognize their contributions in team meetings and celebrate their arrival.
Conclusion:
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Onboarding new employees is not just a formality—it's an opportunity to set the stage for success. By clearly communicating expectations, providing context, and fostering an effective onboarding process, you empower your employees to thrive. Remember, the success of your workforce begins with you—the employer. So, take the necessary steps to create a culture of excellence, ensuring a positive experience for both new and existing employees.
