Joining a new workplace is akin to visiting a foreign land for the first time. No matter how rich an expertise a new hire has, they still need to navigate the unwritten rules of the new workplace (not to mention, grasp the subtle nuances no one will let them in on).
The workplace is typically riddled with unspoken expectations and hidden cultural cues no employee handbook can prepare you for.
The Power of Observation
That being said, new hires need to observe their surroundings and look beyond the guidelines. Even though HR teams typically create an employee onboarding checklist, it rarely focuses on the human element.
Instead, new employees are introduced to team members and mentors, and expected to familiarize themselves with the rest with the help of their colleagues.
One good approach is forging meaningful connections. The term “meaningful” has established itself in the corporate setting, but as to what meaning it holds for different individuals is highly speculative.
Typically, grasping the nuances is just the first step. For employees seeking to keep their individuality in an increasingly uniform corporate setting, additional efforts are required. Emotional intelligence may just be the first step.
One way or another, new hires who fail to reach out to their colleagues proactively will hardly ever enjoy casual conversations or team activities. These two are the best occasions to start unraveling the unwritten rules of the workplace.
History, Mission, Vision, and Other Demons
Businesses mean profits and profits and they don’t stop at trifles when attaining them. There are such things as company mission, vision, and history, and all employees are expected to fit in. The official term is “align”, so there.
The unaligned need to find their unique sense of purpose to be able to fit in and excel at their roles. Meaningful connections are critical in this regard. The first mystery to unravel is how to navigate own roles within the larger narrative.
One of the most efficient solutions is building a personalized strategy for integration. To be sure, all businesses make a huge fuss about integration but just how efficient their initiatives are is questionable at best.
Understanding the Team's Communication Channels
As ever, communication is critical for forging relationships. In the age of rapid digitalization and hybrid work, this translates into making the best use of all available communication channels.
Typically, these include messaging tools, project management tools, task management tools, and emails. In addition, adhering to established meet-ups is critical. Usually, businesses adhere to a pre-established communication schedule, which may or may not include regular meetings (weekly, monthly, daily…), team-building activities and achievement celebration occasions.
As ritual as these may appear to be, they’re a ticket into the company culture new hires will never grasp from tutorials and guidelines.
Mastering Team Integration
A seamless integration into the workplace community is a must for everyone who intends to enjoy their jobs.
Companies who think deeply about integration (since it’s trending, thankfully, many of them do) usually perform a welcoming ritual to make new hires at ease. Welcome emails are one way to do it, but it’s just the first generic step.
Some businesses can get creative and prepare a virtual welcome video for remote employees or a personalized welcome package for office workers to help ease their nerves. Moreover, if they manage to go beyond the typical meet-and-greet and actually uphold networking, all the better.
Finally, welcoming teams have rituals of their own, with or without the blessing from higher-ups. Perhaps they enjoy a weekly team lunch or virtual cooking classes. No matter the ritual, new hires would do well to join in and accelerate buddy-buddy initiatives.
The Synergy of Team Building Zen
The last step to fitting in perfectly is becoming integral to the team dynamics. Obviously, individual dynamics need to fit perfectly and complement other team members, so this is, arguably, the most difficult part.
Simply put, it is critical to actively contribute to team efforts instead of just being a team member. The easiest way to achieve this is by practicing active listening.
This soft skill (which can be learned, by the way) can help new hires understand the diverse team perspectives and uphold idea sharing. After all, it’s only when there is mutual respect involved that all team members can voice their ideas without being scorned.
In such an environment, collaboration becomes second nature. Once new hires reach this level, it’s safe to say they’ve successfully integrated into the team.
The Cherry on Top
Is there more to happy teams?
Naturally.
The highest level of successfully integrated teams is the celebration of achievements, which typically starts with cherishing individual strengths. Different team members have different strengths, so when they are complemented, teams can truly thrive.
This is achieved by aligning individual aspirations with the team's objectives, and it yields the best results when team members make an effort to do it.
Final message for new hires: don’t wait for your manager to tell you what to do! Assess your skills, mingle, learn the nuances of your team, and enjoy joint rituals! In short: enjoy the ride!
