When the Insights Group asked them, top businesses identified changes in personnel due to people joining as one of their top ten challenges.
Insights Discovery® uses a four colour model, comprised of Cool Blue, Fiery Red, Earth Green and Sunshine Yellow energies, to describe people’s strengths, styles and team contributions. The unique combination of these helps to determine why we each think and behave the way we do.
A 2012 Allied Workforce Mobility Survey found that just 77% of new hires were still employed one year after starting at a company, while other research indicates that as many as 40% of employees quit within their first six months.How can an understanding of the four colour energies help to address this issue?
A comprehensive induction process is essential to ensuring that the introduction of new staff is as disruption-free as possible for the organisationwhile maximising engagement and retaining new staff. The Wynhurst Group found that new employees who went through a structured onboarding program were 58% more likely to still work for the same company three years later. By intentionally tapping their Cool Blue energy, a team member could deliberately and precisely work to ensure that a standard onboarding process is developed and implemented for all staff.
The Society for Human Resource Management Foundation cites four ‘levers’ for successful onboarding.
Firstly, self-confidence, which has been shown to be directly linked to successful performance. Those who lead with Fiery Red energy might expect new colleagues to hit the ground running. While this could negatively impact a joining employee’s confidence, the behavioural characteristics associated with this colour energy (determined, strong-willed, purposeful) could be channelled to help inspire confidence in newcomers, especially when balanced with the associated behavioural characteristics of someone using their Earth Green energy (caring, encouraging, patient).
Secondly, role clarity. How well an individual understands his/her job role is one of the most reliable forecasters of an employee’s commitment to the company and job satisfaction. Someone leading with their Cool Blue energy may be best suited to ensuring that new starters are made aware of their individual role and responsibilities, as well as their placewithin the organisation as a whole.
Thirdly, social integration. This is where your Sunshine Yellow energy comes in, ensuring that new starters are welcomed with open arms and quickly included in the social network. This helps to cement an individual’s sense of belonging within a company, which, in turn, increases confidence and performance.
Finally, understanding an organisation’s politics, goals, values and specific language. A combination of all four colour energies contribute to this final aspect of onboarding, and, together, help to create a comprehensive induction process for new employees.
Performance – Workplace Development is a Licensed Distributor for Insights Discovery®. We develop high performing teams. Need to know more? Check out our Insights Discovery® page for ways in which we could help you.
