SET YOUR NEW HIRES UP FOR SUCCESS

Would you agree that employees - from front-line staff to executive leadership - are responsible for job performance, professionalism, learning and development, time and resource manangement, being a good team member and collaborating with colleagues?

That staff at all levels are accountable for effective communication, problem-solving (relative to their specific roles), compliance and adhering to policies, procedures and rules?

And isn't it reasonable to expect that all employees understand the special roles our customers, clients, patients and other external relationships play in the success of their organization?

YES, BUT...

First, organizations must provide the expectations, roles and responsibilities. To hold new staff accountable, organizations offer similar provisions to new employees:

• Clear expectations - set the foundation for accountability.

• Onboarding and orientation - facilitate new hires' understanding of how the organization operates.

• Training and development - empower them to meet their responsibilities and perform at their best.

• Access to information and resources - facilitate their ability to meet expectations and be accountable.

• Mentorship and support - foster their sense of belonging, encourage learning and help new staff members navigate their roles effectively.

• Performance feedback and evaluation - use opportunities to reinforce accountability, set goals, offer constructive feedback and listen to them.

• Communication channels - allow for clear expectations, feedback and collaborative problem-solving.

• Accountability framework - provide a structure for monitoring and measuring performance and facilitating accountability.

• Recognition and reward - acknowledge and appreciate accountable behavior and achievements.

Individual accountability in the workplace generates trust, performance improvement, collaboration among colleagues, alignment of organizational goals, employee engagement and satisfaction and overall organizational effectiveness.

Onboarding effectively takes time and resources. What better to spend both on than setting your new staff up for success!

Laura Easton, LMSW, CFRE, ACC | Executive Coach + OD Consultant