DISCOVER YOUR ROLE - Manager Edition Activities
Below you will find group activities that align with the Toolkit process and resources. These activities are designed to enhance onboarding efforts. Feel free to adjust and adapt to meet the needs of your employees. Have fun!
LEARN THE POWER OF QUESTIONS
To use this action step in an onboarding or training session, have employees work in small groups to discover Knowns and Unknowns.
Knowns and Unknowns is a common exercise used in design thinking and lean analytics.
Break employees into small groups of 2-3.
Have groups list all that they think they know about their new jobs/position.
Divide the list into two types of Knowns:
Known Knowns (facts): they have the information on hand.
Unknown Knowns (assumptions): they need to fact checked with you.
Have groups list all the Unknowns about their new jobs/positions. For each item, discuss where they might find that information.
As a full group make a list of Unknown Unknowns and have a conversation about navigating uncertainty and problem solving on the job.
CONNECT TO COMPANY CULTURE
If you are looking for a way to build community with first-time employees during onboarding, share your company’s mission, vision, and values statements and then ask employees to share what resonates with them and why.
CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS
If you have a team with significant generational differences, it is always fun to explore these as a way to improve teamwork and collaboration. Review the Generational Difference at Work Infographic. Then engage in a conversation about how these differences might show up in everyday interactions on the job.
SET SPECIFIC GOALS
It is important for new employees to set goals for themselves. This helps you understand their motivation and provide encouragement. You can use a version of the goal setting activity in the Toolkit as part of an onboarding activity.
UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS
Understanding your rights as an employee is about understanding what is expected and acceptable in the workplace. This is important because first time employees may not understand the employer/employee relationship and what each party's rights and responsibilities are. Be sure to provide examples to help first-time employees understand your expectations and their rights.
