A recent Deloitte study highlighted a sobering statistic: 82 percent of CEOs experienced exhaustion to the point of burnout, and 96 percent stated that their mental health has declined. Statistics like this don't bode well for organizations that spend time and money on courting, recruiting, and hiring leaders. It's a sad commentary that an organization can be the cause of their leader failing to thrive in their role.
In my experience working with organizations, the overarching objective in onboarding is sincere, especially when there's plenty of work to do, teams to corral, and numbers to achieve. At the same time, I observed a disconnect about the crucial role executive onboarding plays in the success of leaders during the first year. All too often, I've seen organizations rush the executive onboarding process, and things start to go awry. Shifting priorities, team dynamics, and high expectations create an environment that is ripe for executive burnout.
Onboarding new leaders must be uniquely different to set the stage for success early. The stakes are higher, and the ripple effect of constant turnover can undermine an organization's well-being in record time. So, what can an organization do to prevent burnout during executive onboarding? Below are some general guidelines:
- Provide an onboarding plan that aligns with the company's expectations and timeline
- Understand what worked well (or didn't) from prior executive onboarding experiences
- Conduct an onboarding assessment to determine what your leader needs (avoid making assumptions)
- Engage leaders in the onboarding schedule early and have regular touchpoints for the first 30, 60, and 90 days
- Conduct an onboarding survey to identify gaps and areas to improve
A new leader can be a source of hope and anticipation for an organization. Ensure you position your leaders to succeed without burning them out from day one.
Fitwell Solutions specialized in customized solutions to enhance productivity and improve retention and it all starts with onboarding well. Contact us today for a discovery call.
