Onboarding - Supervisor

Why is Onboarding important?

Successful, productive team members are engaged team members. According to the Gallup Research Group, team member engagement is the number one factor in workplace productivity. The best way to engage team members is through a meaningful onboarding process. Onboarding ensures that new team members feel welcome, included, informed, prepared and supported. This increases team member success, satisfaction and retention which allows the State of Missouri to continue its goals and fulfill its mission.

Why are you the critical link?

Gallup has also found that the number one factor in a team member's engagement is the relationship with their supervisor. Onboarding is an effective way to get that relationship off to a good start. It is your responsibility to welcome your new team member and introduce them to the State of Missouri’s culture and values. The more effective and engaged you are, the more effective and engaged your team member will be.

How can you succeed at onboarding?

Use the onboarding tools and resources and edit as you need. Consult with IT, HR and any other office to make sure the new team member has a desk, computer, phone, e-mail, and any other tools necessary to do their job. This is the nuts and bolts of their work; make sure they can hit the ground running. Make yourself available to the new team member as much as possible. If this isn’t possible, designate a buddy or mentor for the team member.

Keep in mind.

  • Keep in mind some common challenges in onboarding: lack of role clarity, challenges with expectations and results, handling personal transition, managing change, navigating the culture.
  • Onboarding is not an event, it’s an experience.
  • Give the team member feedback tools. Onboarding is not a one way street. Create an environment of two way feedback.
  • Set up early wins by setting short term goals. When goals are met share with your team.
  • Reinforce who the team member's internal and external customers are and how the team member's work impacts them, creating a sense of being a part of something with a purpose.

Checklists

Templates

Touchpoints

Often new team members are reluctant to ask too many questions. Use these touchpoints after you have completed your checklists as conversation starters to let the team member know that you are not only invested in their success but committed to providing the tools and cultural space that they need to thrive. 

Training

A new team member's first year on the job are critical and training can be an indicator for success. You will provide training during this time so that they become familiar with their daily work through job shadowing, cross-trainings, one on ones. We have listed training topics and courses to assist you. 

  • MO Learning 101: Getting Started in MO Learning and How to Use LinkedIn Learning
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Engage 2.0
  • Unlawful Discrimination
  • Cybersecurity
  • State Government 101
  • Diversity
  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • The Missouri Way Training Series: Show Me Excellence White Belt Training
  • Conduct and Ethics

To assist you, the following MO Learning collections and completion times have been created.

Useful Resources