As a human resource (HR) professional, you must ensure that new employees are successfully integrated into their roles and the company culture. One effective way to do this is through the use of storytelling.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging and motivating employees. It allows you to share the company’s values, vision, and mission in a relatable and memorable way. By incorporating storytelling into the onboarding process, you can help new employees understand the company’s culture and expectations and feel more connected to their colleagues and the organization.
Here are some critical ways that storytelling can enhance employee onboarding:
Establish the company’s values and culture
Storytelling allows you to share the company’s values and culture authentically and engagingly. This can help new employees understand what the company stands for and what is expected of them in their roles.
For example, if one of the company’s values is innovation, you can share stories of how employees have come up with creative solutions to challenges. This will help new employees understand what innovation means in the company’s context and how they can contribute to this value.
Connect new employees to the company’s history and mission
Storytelling can also help new employees understand the company’s history and mission. Sharing stories of the company’s origins and critical milestones can help new employees feel more connected to the organization and its purpose.
For example, share stories of how the company was founded or has grown and evolved. This can help new employees understand the company’s journey and why it does what it does.
Introduce new employees to their colleagues
Storytelling can also introduce new employees to their colleagues and the team they will be working with. Sharing stories about individual team members can help new employees get to know their colleagues personally and feel more connected to them.
For example, you might share stories of how individual team members have contributed to the company’s success or overcame challenges together. This can help new employees feel more at ease and confident in their interactions with their colleagues.
Help new employees understand the company’s expectations.
Storytelling can also help new employees understand the company’s expectations for their roles and performance. By sharing stories of how other employees have succeeded in their roles, you can provide examples of success and help new employees understand what is expected of them.
For example, share stories of how other employees have exceeded their goals or gone above and beyond in their roles. This can help new employees understand what it takes to succeed in the company and how they can achieve their own goals.
You can also use onboarding tools. This will ensure that new employees are more engaged with their roles and the company and have a positive onboarding experience.
As an HR professional, it is essential to incorporate storytelling into your onboarding processes. Here are some tips for using storytelling effectively in employee onboarding:
- Choose stories that are relevant and relatable.
- Focus on stories that illustrate the company’s values and expectations.
- Keep the levels brief and engaging.
- Make sure the stories are inspiring and motivating.
- Encourage new employees to share stories of their own.
Conclusion
Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging and motivating employees during onboarding. By incorporating storytelling into your onboarding processes, you can help new employees understand the company’s values, mission, and expectations in a more meaningful and memorable way.
Just make sure to choose stories that illustrate the company’s values and expectations, and keep the stories brief and engaging. With the right storytelling strategy, you can help new employees connect with the company and their colleagues and have a more positive onboarding experience.