Guide
Avoid the onboarding mistakes that cost you good hires
Sidestep the most common ways a promising new hire quietly disengages in the first few months.
Don't leave them with nothing to do
An empty first few days signals disorganisation, and worse, unimportance. Even simple, well-scoped early tasks are better than idle time.
Don't overload them either
The opposite mistake, throwing a new hire straight into high-stakes work, can be just as damaging. Ramp responsibility gradually.
Don't skip introductions to the wider team
Feeling isolated from colleagues in the first weeks is a common, quiet reason people disengage early. Make introductions a deliberate part of the plan.
Don't go quiet after the first week
Attention naturally shifts elsewhere once the initial excitement fades. Keep at least a light check-in cadence through the full first few months.
That’s the whole thing.
Keep going
What to read next
- 01
Onboarding New Hires
Build a 30/60/90 day onboarding plan
Give new hires a clear roadmap for their first three months instead of leaving them to figure it out.
- 02
Onboarding New Hires
Prepare everything before their first day
Make sure a new hire's first day feels organised, not chaotic and improvised.
- 03
Onboarding New Hires
Set clear expectations in the first week
Make sure a new hire knows exactly what success looks like, right from the start.