Onboarding Your Team Through Play
Onboarding Your Team Through Play
Onboarding Your Team Through Play
By Bethany Carr
October 2, 2023
Summary
Onboarding a new team member involves navigating the complexities of learning names, roles, processes, and preferences. Traditional onboarding, often a checklist-driven and information-heavy process, may not be the most engaging approach. Bethany Carr suggests adopting a more interactive method by incorporating games, activities, and simulations into the onboarding process. This not only makes the experience more memorable and exciting but also facilitates both individual and team development.
Effective onboarding strikes a balance between providing essential information for the new hire's role and avoiding overwhelming them with unnecessary details. The conventional approach often lacks the "how" and "why" of tasks, resulting in a rigid and uninspiring process. Carr advocates for questioning whether onboarding is purely informational or also developmental, emphasizing the importance of fostering social learning, team interaction, and trust.
Utilizing games in the onboarding process has been proven to increase participation, encourage risk-taking, and enhance social learning. Carr recommends incorporating instructional play into onboarding to build hard skills and promote problem-solving and collaboration within the team. She provides suggestions for different time commitments, ranging from quick "get to know you" sessions with games to more extensive overhauls that fully gamify the onboarding experience.
For those with limited time, simple games like Telestrations, Fluxx, Rhino Hero, and Hues and Cues can be adapted to fit the team's needs. For those with more time, specific tasks within the onboarding checklist can be turned into purposeful game-based learning opportunities. Carr also explores the possibility of a complete overhaul, turning onboarding into a fully gamified and game-based process with point systems and rewards.
The article emphasizes that gamifying onboarding is not just about superficial point systems but requires careful consideration of the learning objectives and meaningful incentives. Whether adopting a minimal or comprehensive approach, the goal is to transform onboarding into a positive, impactful, and enjoyable experience for both the new hire and the onboarding team. The article suggests that even small changes can significantly enhance the onboarding process, making it more engaging and effective.
Reference
Carr, B. (2023, October 2). Onboarding Your Team Through Play. NASAGA. Retrieved from https://www.nasaga.org/blog/onboarding-your-team-through-play