How do you balance fun and learning in onboarding games without compromising professionalism?

Absolutely! Understanding your new hires is key to crafting onboarding games that hit the mark. It's like picking the perfect gift – you have to know their interests, background, and what they're keen to learn. A quick chat or a simple survey can give you loads of insights. This way, you make sure the games are just right – not too easy, not too hard, and definitely not boring. Plus, it’s a great way to show them you value their unique perspectives and are committed to making their first days both fun and meaningful. After all, a great start can make a big difference!

Use onboarding games as a tool to introduce new employees to the company's culture, values, and traditions, fostering a sense of belonging and connection from the start. Incorporate storytelling or interactive activities that highlight the organization's history, achievements, and vision for the future, allowing employees to understand their role within the broader context of the company. Integrate elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards into the onboarding games to enhance engagement and motivation. Regularly assess participant feedback, game analytics, and performance outcomes to identify areas for improvement and inform future iterations of the onboarding process.

Focus on Purpose: Align games with learning goals and company values. Structured Gamification: Use quizzes and scenarios tied to real tasks. Professional Tone: Keep games polished and skill-focused. Moderate Competition: Encourage friendly, respectful competition. Reward Progress: Offer professional rewards for achievements. Feedback Loop: Reflect on games to connect fun with learning outcomes.

Like a good DJ, you need to read the room for this one. Every onboarding group will likely have a different set of personalities. Not everyone enjoys the spotlight, and that's okay. The goal of onboarding is to help everyone get to know each other & gently encourage them to come out of their shell in a way that feels natural. So, think casual, low-pressure activities that are more about mingling & less about performing. This could range from mixed coffee dates to simple board games, or even gamifying some learning aspects to get people into the spirit. The key is to offer a variety of options, allowing flexibility and choice. The best experiences are those that don't feel like a chore. Keep it light and true to your team's culture.

Onboarding games can be a fun and engaging way to learn, but professionalism matters. To strike the right balance, we set clear rules and expectations from the outset. This might involve outlining appropriate communication styles during gameplay, emphasising teamwork and respect for others' ideas, and ensuring the game aligns with the overall learning objectives. By establishing these parameters, we can create a fun and informative experience that fosters a positive learning environment while maintaining a professional tone.

Too many onboarding activities are designed to just tell the employee what to do on the job. But I think we can all empathize with first-person experience, how much more a process, an activity, or a a strategy is internalized and championed when we know the reasoning is behind it. So on top of making sure you are clear with the steps, involved, help new employees understand why things are done this way. Give them the logic, the reasoning, and the proven strategy so that they aren't just expected to follow the rules, but they fully understand why they were put in place in the first place.