The Biden team assumes responsibility today without some of the usual debriefings and transfer of knowledge and, sadly, I think of how it parallels what the majority of employees face on the first day of their new job. Most employees leave their positions without an in-person hand-off or without compiling a coherent manual of relevant documentation, leaving the new hire in the dark. Every day, new employees are tossed into the deep end with a pile of HR forms, maybe lunch with colleagues, and then left to their own devices to figure out everything from the technology to the organization’s mission.
It not only doesn’t have to be this way – it shouldn’t be this way — for any role. If you’re the hiring manager, your obligations and responsibilities don’t stop the moment you make an offer or the day the new employee shows up; that’s when your work is just beginning.
If you have a new staff member, focus less on the pageantry of the welcome process and more on the ongoing support that is required to help that person succeed. Lend your attention to the new hire, of course, but also to the colleagues around him or her, especially if they had preferred another candidate. Over time, repeatedly demonstrate that you value an environment that builds trust, allows for missteps, and places a high value on communication.
Just like with the Inauguration, there’s hoopla over Day 1 in a new job, but when people really need your support is on day 12 or 35 or 176 – when all the luster has worn off and the vexing questions remain unsolved. Enjoy the wedding, but focus on the marriage in order to have a long-lasting and successful relationship.
