Help a newcomer understand the work before they take it on. Share the role documents, introduce their contacts and explain which decisions they can make. Discuss their time, available support and how to raise a concern before accepting a task. Choose a first responsibility that meets a real need, with someone available to guide it. Review the arrangement together when expectations change, especially if people start relying on help that was meant to be temporary.
Talk it through
- What would a newcomer still have to guess after reading the role documents?
- Who can provide practical help when the usual contact is unavailable?
- How will you notice and discuss when the role asks more of someone than you first agreed?
Try this next
- Share the role description, relevant working documents and the names of key contacts.
- Agree a first task with clear decision limits, support and a realistic time commitment.
- Set a review point to check progress, access to support and any change in expectations.