Related: How to Pivot Your L&D Strategy in Times of Crisis
Taking the time to go through virtual training and onboarding
If you’re joining a company as a new L&D leader, it can be tempting to jump straight into the big issues. But as Kristi explains, focusing on onboarding first-hand can be incredibly valuable.
“I asked for the same onboarding experience that any new employee would have,” says Kristi. “As you know, a lot of times HR will tailor this for leaders coming in from the outside, and will take a concierge approach. But I wanted to understand this first-hand.”
However, as with so many other parts of business right now, Kristi had to adjust on the fly. “Because of COVID, I wasn’t able to get the full experience. I completed the mandatory training, but we weren’t able to convene for our in-person training. I still got a great overview of our program.”
Related: How WhatsApp Onboards New Hires Remotely
Virtual training can still be fun - even in a pandemic
Despite all of the disruptions associated with the COVID pandemic, starting as the new L&D leader has been a lot of fun for Kristi - especially coming to grips with her new environment.
“It’s fun if you ever wanted to be an investigative reporter, or if you’re an anthropologist and you love observing and learning. Most of us in the learning and development field are like that. We love to ask a lot of questions.”
“Unlike other companies, it’s a lot more personal at DPR. People really want to get to know you, what you have to bring, your journey and how you got here. After you’ve built the relationship, then you get to know their business. This can be tricky in a remote context, but I’m enjoying it.”
For L&D leaders settling into their new roles during this time, it’s incredibly useful to hear a few tips and suggestions from someone going through the same process.
Thanks once again to Kristi for taking the time to chat and share her valuable expertise!
Want more insights to #GetReady for what's next? Check out our series of interviews with L&D experts on how learning and development should change and strategies to train teams given the current climate.