Insights
Stanton Chase: Onboarding Leaders Remotely In A Crisis
In times of crisis or recovery, firms can bring on new leaders with a few simple steps.
Setting up new leaders in times of crisis is crucial to ensure a company can continue navigating the new normal and retain its leaders in the long term. Research has shown that a strong onboarding process improves new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%, making the first days of a new leader’s tenure paramount to a company’s success. In the midst of a global pandemic, onboarding may seem like a challenge, but it is far from impossible.
With the help of Stanton Chase in Washington, D.C., PBS hired a new VP for Programming, Sylvia Bugg, just a month before the network implemented a virtual work-from-home order for their organization. We asked her what unique challenges for organizations and leaders she’d noticed during the COVID-19 crisis in light of her own experience.
Here is a list of some of the best practices for both employers and new employees for how to integrate new leaders amid tumultuous times.
For Employers:
- Operationalize the timeline
- Create a welcoming atmosphere
- Set clear expectations
- Assign a peer mentor
- Hire a transition coach
For Employees:
- Set up meetings with direct reports
- Get to know your coworkers
- Use video check-ins
- Study the industry
- Understand your company’s governance