Eddy’s HR Mavericks Encyclopedia
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Team Introductions
Introductions can be overwhelming for both the employee and the employer. What do I say when they ask about my hobby, what if I forget my own name — questions like these will be running through the employee’s head while the employer is thinking, how do I keep this from derailing while still maintaining the fun side? Does anyone even care about this at all? Keep reading to address these pain points and more when it comes to team introductions in the workplace.
What Are Team Introductions?
Team introductions are specific company-crafted ideas to break down communication barriers. Most of these introductions happen during onboarding with one or more employees at a time, when a new employee joins an already established team, when an employee moves to a new department, or when an employee is promoted to a new role. In essence, team introductions will take place in any situation where there is a new face. Team introductions take the anxiety and fear that a new job can bring and channel it into something positive by establishing connections with the team.
Why Are Team Introductions Important?
A little support can go a long way with any employee, whether they’re starting completely new with an organization, getting promoted, or moving within a company, introductions can set the tone for continued progress and growth. Let’s evaluate why team introductions are so important:
- Value. Learning about an employee that is new to your organization or department establishes their value, it makes them feel part of the team and helps connect them to the work that is already being done. Establishing that value immediately will help foster your employee’s worth throughout their time with the organization.
- Support. Taking the time to not only learn about the new employees but allow them to learn about the established ones as well creates a level of support right from the beginning that can continue through the employee life cycle.
- Connection. Establishing a connection is critical in today’s workplace, and introductions can do just that. Providing the time and place for employees to get to know each other creates a valuable connection and ties employees to your organization as they connect with their team.
Types of Team Introductions
There are so many ways to conduct these introductions. Let’s dive into some common ones for you to pick from. Perhaps a combination of all would be most beneficial to your company.
Type 1: Social Activity
The most common type of team introduction centers around social activities, and it is undoubtedly the most fun. You can have a team “get to know you” lunch or send your employees on a scavenger hunt around the office to encourage them to meet people in every department. Getting your employees up and social is a great way to break the ice and still allow them to take the time to meet their team members without sticking to the same old “tell me something about yourself” scene.
Type 2: Staff Meeting
Depending on the size of your organization, a staff meeting may be a great way to implement team introductions. All current staff would be present and you have the opportunity to capture the attention of your employees all at once. Be sure to take this time and highlight the newly hired employees or newly promoted employees and encourage excitement for the progress of each individual you are honoring.
Type 3: Email
Perhaps what would work best for your organization would be a company-wide email for a new or newly promoted introduction. Email is a great way to ensure no one has missed the great company news. Make sure your organization continues this way of introductions for each individual who is hired or progresses through your organization to make these emails something to look forward to.
What Should be Included in a Team Introduction
Now that you know the types of introductions your organization can choose from, let’s evaluate what should be in these introductions. While introductions can be tailored to your specific organization, here are a few items to include in every team introduction.
Name and Position
It doesn’t matter if they’re new to the organization or simply new to a team within that organization, the employee’s name and position should always be included in a team introduction. Feel free to personalize this aspect. They can state their name and provide their new team members with a “nickname” or “preferred” name and a little professional background to allow for this portion of the introduction to still be fun. Listing their position within the organization is always helpful in an introduction. This will help all team members recognize new employees accordingly.
Previous Experience
Taking some time to explain the previous experience in an introduction can be extremely helpful. Current team members may have worked at a similar company or department within the organization before and this can establish valuable connections. Further, talking through previous experience can help the team recognize what this new team member could bring to the table and allows a more open communication going forward.
Answers to Employer Questions
As an employer, try to find questions specific to your culture for these introductions. If your organization is big on giving back to the community, perhaps one of your employer-specific questions to the new employee is “What is your favorite charity and why,” or “Tell us the last community event you participated in or wanted to participate in and why.” Be sure to make these questions reflect the vision of your organization. In doing so, you’re allowing tenure employees to continually embrace your company culture as well as establish that culture with your new employees.
Something Fun
Always include something fun in your introductions by asking questions such as “What is your favorite hobby,” “If you could visit one place where would it be and why” or “Do you have any pets, why or why not?” Allow these questions to be completely focused on creating connections and providing some laughter in the process. Each team introduction should always have a “fun” question to allow employees to relax and take a break from the anxiety they may be feeling in a new organization or role.
Topics
Shalie Reich
Shalie has over 4 years of experience working in a variety of HR positions and organizations including: working as an HR department "of one", working with a start-up based in Europe, to working in a fully established robust USA based HR department. Shalie has experience in multiple states and countries with all aspects of the HR spectrum. She has a passion to share her knowledge and experience to benefit the HR profession!
Frequently asked questions
Other Related Terms
Eddy’s HR Mavericks Encyclopedia
Team Introductions
Introductions can be overwhelming for both the employee and the employer. What do I say when they ask about my hobby, what if I forget my own name — questions like these will be running through the employee’s head while the employer is thinking, how do I keep this from derailing while still maintaining the fun side? Does anyone even care about this at all? Keep reading to address these pain points and more when it comes to team introductions in the workplace.
What Are Team Introductions?
Team introductions are specific company-crafted ideas to break down communication barriers. Most of these introductions happen during onboarding with one or more employees at a time, when a new employee joins an already established team, when an employee moves to a new department, or when an employee is promoted to a new role. In essence, team introductions will take place in any situation where there is a new face. Team introductions take the anxiety and fear that a new job can bring and channel it into something positive by establishing connections with the team.
Why Are Team Introductions Important?
A little support can go a long way with any employee, whether they’re starting completely new with an organization, getting promoted, or moving within a company, introductions can set the tone for continued progress and growth. Let’s evaluate why team introductions are so important:
- Value. Learning about an employee that is new to your organization or department establishes their value, it makes them feel part of the team and helps connect them to the work that is already being done. Establishing that value immediately will help foster your employee’s worth throughout their time with the organization.
- Support. Taking the time to not only learn about the new employees but allow them to learn about the established ones as well creates a level of support right from the beginning that can continue through the employee life cycle.
- Connection. Establishing a connection is critical in today’s workplace, and introductions can do just that. Providing the time and place for employees to get to know each other creates a valuable connection and ties employees to your organization as they connect with their team.
Types of Team Introductions
There are so many ways to conduct these introductions. Let’s dive into some common ones for you to pick from. Perhaps a combination of all would be most beneficial to your company.
Type 1: Social Activity
The most common type of team introduction centers around social activities, and it is undoubtedly the most fun. You can have a team “get to know you” lunch or send your employees on a scavenger hunt around the office to encourage them to meet people in every department. Getting your employees up and social is a great way to break the ice and still allow them to take the time to meet their team members without sticking to the same old “tell me something about yourself” scene.
Type 2: Staff Meeting
Depending on the size of your organization, a staff meeting may be a great way to implement team introductions. All current staff would be present and you have the opportunity to capture the attention of your employees all at once. Be sure to take this time and highlight the newly hired employees or newly promoted employees and encourage excitement for the progress of each individual you are honoring.
Type 3: Email
Perhaps what would work best for your organization would be a company-wide email for a new or newly promoted introduction. Email is a great way to ensure no one has missed the great company news. Make sure your organization continues this way of introductions for each individual who is hired or progresses through your organization to make these emails something to look forward to.
What Should be Included in a Team Introduction
Now that you know the types of introductions your organization can choose from, let’s evaluate what should be in these introductions. While introductions can be tailored to your specific organization, here are a few items to include in every team introduction.
Name and Position
It doesn’t matter if they’re new to the organization or simply new to a team within that organization, the employee’s name and position should always be included in a team introduction. Feel free to personalize this aspect. They can state their name and provide their new team members with a “nickname” or “preferred” name and a little professional background to allow for this portion of the introduction to still be fun. Listing their position within the organization is always helpful in an introduction. This will help all team members recognize new employees accordingly.
Previous Experience
Taking some time to explain the previous experience in an introduction can be extremely helpful. Current team members may have worked at a similar company or department within the organization before and this can establish valuable connections. Further, talking through previous experience can help the team recognize what this new team member could bring to the table and allows a more open communication going forward.
Answers to Employer Questions
As an employer, try to find questions specific to your culture for these introductions. If your organization is big on giving back to the community, perhaps one of your employer-specific questions to the new employee is “What is your favorite charity and why,” or “Tell us the last community event you participated in or wanted to participate in and why.” Be sure to make these questions reflect the vision of your organization. In doing so, you’re allowing tenure employees to continually embrace your company culture as well as establish that culture with your new employees.
Something Fun
Always include something fun in your introductions by asking questions such as “What is your favorite hobby,” “If you could visit one place where would it be and why” or “Do you have any pets, why or why not?” Allow these questions to be completely focused on creating connections and providing some laughter in the process. Each team introduction should always have a “fun” question to allow employees to relax and take a break from the anxiety they may be feeling in a new organization or role.
Topics
Shalie Reich
Shalie has over 4 years of experience working in a variety of HR positions and organizations including: working as an HR department "of one", working with a start-up based in Europe, to working in a fully established robust USA based HR department. Shalie has experience in multiple states and countries with all aspects of the HR spectrum. She has a passion to share her knowledge and experience to benefit the HR profession!
Frequently asked questions
Other Related Terms
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