Let The (Onboarding) Games Begin!
Starting a new job is a stressful endeavor—and not just for the new hires. For companies that have invested significant amounts of resources in scouring for talent, the stakes are high and it is essential that the nerve-wracking onboarding process goes as planned. Isn’t it time to take the heat off the first few days of induction? That’s not to say that onboarding new employees is a one-and-done deal that holds zero weight in the long run. Onboarding is an invaluable experience that builds connections between the company and its people and dictates the outcome of this relationship. Let’s make it memorable and fun. Get inspired with these 15 onboarding games and activities to welcome your fresh hires into the team.
Why Employee Onboarding Is So Important
Low-quality onboarding experiences can be detrimental to employee productivity, engagement, and retention. Many companies fall victim to rushed, run-of-the-mill induction processes that prove inadequate to fully equip new hires with the necessary tools to excel in their role. When it comes to newcomers joining a company, onboarding should be a process of acclimating and immersing them into the company’s culture, mission, and values from day one. It’s this initial phase that lays the foundation for a productive relationship between the new hire, the team, and the organization. In simple words, onboarding is a vital process that dictates the degree of success and future of this fledgling relationship.
Ensuring that it gets done correctly is an investment in the long run. A high-quality onboarding experience will spotlight you as an employer and ensure that your employees enjoy a long, fruitful tenure within your company. It illustrates your commitment to your people, empowering them to go above and beyond their job title. Hence, to set your new hires up for success, you must first show them your organization’s unique identity. Can you see why onboarding games are a stellar idea?
Onboarding Games For New Hires
If you want to transform the onboarding journey into an unforgettable experience that your new hires will revisit throughout their tenure, think outside the box. This list is by no means exhaustive; the secret to planning a great onboarding experience is to combine your objectives with elements that make your company unique—so get creative!
1. Taboo
This first onboarding activity introduces your new hires to important work terms and jargon through the well-loved game of Taboo. As a game for all ages, playing Taboo is a fun and lively way to train new employees on job-specific terms and concepts they will encounter in their day-to-day. To play, participants have to describe a term to their team without using words from the list of forbidden terms. It’s an activity that encourages your team to think on their feet and convey ideas, helping them learn work-related vocabulary in a relaxed, informal manner.
2. Icebreakers
Icebreakers have been used time and again as introductions to corporate meetings. So, why not use them for your virtual onboarding game? Icebreakers are a versatile activity and a great conversation starter to ease your new team members into their new roles and foster a friendly atmosphere. Try simple games, like a Zoom background contest, anecdotes, and “this or that” questions. Keep it short and sweet, or use them as a prelude to your next onboarding game.
