This holiday season, as stories of layoffs and leadership changes fill my feed, I keep coming back to a simple truth: The greatest gift we can give a new team member is to make them feel like they belong.
Years ago, I started a new leadership role—full of ambition and hope. On that blazing summer morning, I arrived early, sweat trickling down my back (overdressed in heavy slacks, of course). I entered HR expecting a warm welcome, eager for a half-day of learning and connection.
Instead, I was greeted by an empty chair and the quiet hum of the AC. After a long wait, the admin assistant handed me a stack of paperwork, then the HR Director shuffled in and said, “Congratulations and good luck!” She handed me a key and pointed me toward my new office.
The “office” was a mess—piles of junk on the desk, boxes stacked high, not a note or nameplate in sight. No tour. No introductions. No sense of who I was joining or what I was meant to do next. I sat alone, listening to the faint sounds of laughter down the hall, feeling a pit of loneliness in my gut.
After a while, another admin rounded up the team and briefly pointed each person out—then left. That was it. No fanfare, no welcome, just awkward chuckles about “how things are done around here.”
In that moment, I made myself a promise: “This is not how we will ever welcome someone again.” To my surprise, the team rallied behind this vision. What began as a moment of isolation became a shared call to action. Together, we built a new onboarding process—one that made every new teammate feel seen, valued, and ready to thrive from Day 1.
That was the turning point. And I’ve never looked back.
📝 The Unforgettable Onboarding Checklist
- 💻 Tech Ready: Computer, email, phone, access cards—and passwords—all working before they arrive.
- 🧰 Workspace Welcome: Clean desk, stocked with supplies, nameplate on display.
- 📅 Calendar Prepped: First meetings, tours, and 1:1s scheduled—no guesswork.
- 🔑 Key Connections: Intro meetings with every full-time teammate, spread out over the first few weeks.
- 📚 Training Mapped: Shadow sessions and system walk-throughs, led by team experts.
- ⏱️ Milestone Check-ins: Supervisor books 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month check-ins.
- 🥐 Warm Welcome: Start with a breakfast or lunch—celebrate their arrival!
Bonus: Branded swag or a hand-written note. Feature their arrival in team channels.
This story proves that onboarding isn’t paperwork, it’s your culture’s first gift. People never forget how you made them feel on Day 1. Get it right, and you create a culture of belonging that grows with every new team member.
Want to transform how your team welcomes new talent? Visit www.jasonchadock.com and let’s make sure your next new hire’s first day is unforgettable.
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