This Week’s Focus Point
By Dr. Jason Carthen
Everyone Has Their Own Routine
Going through that tunnel headed to Boston’s Logan Airport for the first time was an amazing experience. It wasn’t until we bypassed security and walked out on to the tarmac in New England that I realized this was going to be life changing. As we boarded the plane, I watched and realized everyone had their own routine and method of doing things and it varied greatly from player to coach with no particular rhyme or reason. While this was intriguing to me, it left me with no choice other than to adopt my own individual process as we boarded that plane…whether right or wrong.
Four Things that Made Difference on Boarding Processes
In organizations, we must adopt an on boarding process that offers the most effective method for new team members, which can be repeated and offers the best chance for retention of the new employee. Over the course of my career helping organizations reach their goals and build successful teams, I have helped to implement four things that made a difference in their on boarding processes:
1. Assessment:
You must be able to identify the new team members strengths, skill sets or personality on the front end of the relationship to help predict success & proper placement.
2. Orientation:
New team members must become familiar with the mission, vision and trajectory of the organization. They cannot get passionate about something they do not understand.
3. Training:
This cannot be overstated enough for a new team member. Give someone the blueprint of what you want them to do and then create repetitive opportunities for them to experience it. It reinforces mental markers they will remember and draw upon later.
4. Mentoring:
The greatest predictor of success is found in support and encouragement when a new team member is brought on board. To have another pair of eyes to encourage and point out positives will make a difference. Take the time to institute a mentoring and accountability program to make sure your investment pays off in the long term.
Some time has passed since I boarded that flight bright eyed and filled with expectation to go play the Green Bay Packers, but one thing that I have never forgotten is the experience. As a leader, what type of experience are you creating for those that you bring on board?
How can you make sure you are being intentional with your on boarding process?