Ways to Help Employees Learn Company Culture
Not all companies are the same. Cultures from vary from one company to another. Some practices deemed normal in one place might be frowned upon in another. The values upheld by a business might not be the same as the values prioritized by the next. There’s nothing wrong about these differences. If anything, they make the companies unique. It also helps with branding. The key is to make new employees acclimated with the company culture. You don’t want them to start the job not knowing what’s in store for them. Here are some ways to help them learn the company culture.
Allow them to observe fellow employees
There’s no need to drop all responsibilities on the first day. Allow these employees to get to know their colleagues. Let them see how they interact. Observation allows the new employees to have a sense of how people treat each other. It also lets them determine how they can inject themselves to the environment.
Open your doors to questions
After seeing how employees interact, the new people in your team might have questions. As the leader, you’re the best person to answer them. Make sure you open your doors to these questions. It’s better to clarify misconceptions than allow them to assume something that isn’t true.
Be explicit about the policies and practices
If the company has a manual that contains everything new employees need to know, it would be great. After reading the handbook, they will have clear expectations. They will also decide what to do and what to avoid at work. However, some practices are not written on the manual. Explain to the new employees which traditions are carried out as a norm. Give them the chance to decide whether or not they will pursue these practices.
Find someone these employees can look up to
Even the employees who have been with you for a long time are not perfect. They have flaws and aren’t necessarily embracing the company culture like the rest. You don’t want them to be the standard for your new employees. Find someone you can consider an excellent role model. The new employees can model their behavior from this person. They will also see the company culture come to life through this employee.
It takes time to understand company culture. If you ask your employees what the company culture is, no one can provide a clear response. Therefore, it helps if you allow your new employee to learn how things are done at work. Lower your expectations and don’t expect an immediate response. When you think the new employees are yet to embrace the culture, don’t be frustrated. Allow the natural process to take place. You might also want to reconsider some practices if they’re no longer deemed appropriate or timely. When you have recently employed younger employees, they will help mold the company culture to adapt to modern practices.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://unsplash.com/photos/4zfD5SOcE_0
2nd image from https://trainingindustry.com/articles/strategy-alignment-and-planning/4-ways-to-create-a-learning-culture-in-the-workplace/
