Don't be afraid to ask questions...

If there’s one thing you want to make your new employees understand, it’s that they are encouraged to ask questions.

 

·      Encouraging people to ask questions

·      Is often easier said than done.

·      Make them comfortable…

·      And they will.

 

The key here is making new employees comfortable – that’s one of the most important things we can do during their onboarding… and then every day after that. We often think that during their first day on the job we must give them all the rules, directions, highlights, and instructions. Do you remember your first day on the job and how overwhelmed you felt? Don’t make them go thru that. It’s the best time to get to know them, and them to know you. All that other stuff can wait until the next day and later, mostly because they can’t and won’t remember it all. Go slow. Encourage them to ask questions. And when they don’t, tell them it’s ok to be uncomfortable – and it’s ok to say they’re uncomfortable and that you’re there to make them comfortable enough to ask. Put them at ease by telling them stories of your first day. Give them breaks so they can talk among themselves. And keep thanking them for joining your team. Remember that when they go home at the end of that first day their family will ask “how was it”. Making them comfortable is the best way to ensure they’ll tell them it was great. Make your employees comfortable enough to ask questions today.

 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 1977): Nigerian writer whose works include novels, short stories and nonfiction.