There’s a video that’s been making the rounds on LinkedIn that shows employees at a company cheering a new hire on as she makes her way through the crowd, after being introduced by the leader. What a great welcome for a new employee! Or not…
Here’s the video. Watch, and please let me know how you’d feel being welcomed in this way on your first day. My thoughts are below.
Wow – that’s a loud, engaging welcome, isn’t it!?! For the right person, it sure is – an extroverted, confident person will feel like she’s finally found her tribe. An introverted, shy person may be mortified.
If this is how you welcome new employees…
Hire people for culture fit. In your selection process, make sure you’re looking beyond the resume and experience. Look for people who are extroverted and comfortable in highly social situations. Ask about times they’ve been in a room full of people they didn’t know, and what they did. Ask about what makes them uncomfortable or like they want to fall into a hole in the ground.
Be transparent about your culture. Kudos to RocketMill for sharing these videos – at least if someone watches them, they know what they’re in for. Make sure people are prepared and aware of what is expected of them as far as participating in traditions like these.
Question your culture. We recommend you measure your culture at least annually to see if it’s engaging people and helping you achieve the results you want to achieve. RocketMill is likely missing out on a great pool of talent – those introverted but creative, passionate and brilliant people who see these videos and don’t apply to work there. We strongly believe in differentiating your culture, but it’s important to also create an environment that welcomes diversity of thought, personality and ideas. As Susan Cain says, “Everyone shines, given the right lighting.”
Other Ways to Make Day One Welcoming
A Welcome Gift. This sort of thing doesn’t have to cost much – When Kelly started working with me, she received a nice notebook, a pen with an inspiring quote on it, a branded water bottle and a few other fun items. It’s even better when you can customize your gift to that person. Something as simple as finding out what their favourite snack is during the interview process, and then having that snack waiting on their desk, can create a wow moment.
Create Connections. Set up one-on-one casual discussions with other team members or leaders they may interact with in the organization. You may even give those people some tips on making the new person feel welcome, the sorts of questions to ask, and a budget to buy them a coffee or snack.
Take Care of the Basics. So many companies I’ve worked with just aren’t ready when the new person walks in the door. Make sure their manager is there to greet them. Make sure they know where to park and enter the building. Make sure their technology is set up and ready for them, that they have a chair to sit in. These things seem simple, but it’s surprising how often they are forgotten.
On our “old” site, we have a couple of other blogs about onboarding new employees. Check them out for more ideas of what to do and what not to do.
- Engaging Orientation
- 10 Steps to Skip the eager employee stage and go right to employee disengagement
And please, let us know how you’d like being welcomed as the video shows! My little secret is that I think I would actually enjoy it!
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