Psychological safety is crucial during an onboarding process.

It creates an environment where you feel comfortable, valued and empowered to engage fully from the start.

This was exactly my experience when I joined PeopleUnboxed at the end of May this year.

Building trust and relationships.

Even before my first day, I was welcomed by the team. They reached out to say hello, and I was invited to a team-building day where we made delicious chocolate together. There was no pressure to participate, which eased the pressure before my first week, and by the time I officially started, I was already familiar with the team members.

One of the tools that made this process even smoother was the ‘Passports’ that every PeopleUnboxed employee has. These include personal information, like what we enjoy doing in our free time and our values plus work related tips such as our preferred communication styles, how we like to receive feedback, and the best times of day to reach us. Having access to these Passports helped me quickly learn about my colleagues, and it also allowed them to understand how to get the best from me.

This sense of belonging was further strengthened with another team day in Cambridge, in my second month, ending with a cocktail-making masterclass. These experiences and insights not only built trust quickly but also allowed my new colleagues to get to know me better, so they could offer personalised support from the get-go.

Reducing stress and anxiety.

To my surprise, I experienced minimal stress and anxiety during my onboarding. This was a stark contrast to my previous experiences in new roles. Tony regularly checked in before my start date, ensuring our conversations were relaxed and open, making it easy to ask questions and voice any concerns.

My first week included supporting a major team event with more than 50 people. Normally, this would have been overwhelming on just day three, but with zero pressure from Tony and Rich on what was required from me, it was a positive experience. The only pressure felt, was from them… when I picked up a set of darts for the first time and somehow managed to beat them.

Enhancing learning and growth.

My learning curve was steep but manageable, thanks to the supportive environment created. I spent time with Jo in my second week, observing her in the classroom (ironically teaching psychological safety) with the aim of eventually leading sessions myself. She made it clear there was no rush, and I could progress at my own pace. Jo’s openness and willingness to show vulnerability herself made it easy for me to open up in return, confident that this would never have negative consequences.

 This atmosphere of psychological safety reduced any nervousness I felt, allowing me to learn quickly and build my confidence. By my third week, I was already delivering sessions solo, and within two months, I was overseeing two clients – something I never would have foreseen pre starting.

Improving retention and engagement.

Impostor syndrome crept in quickly. I can honestly say, the PeopleUnboxed team is the most talented group of people I’ve ever met, which should have been intimidating. However, they never made me feel that way. Instead, they helped me overcome those feelings with their embedded culture of psychological safety.

Rich, Jo, Tony, Westy, Kate, Arlene, Rachel and Lucy all regularly reached out, shared their vulnerabilities, offered advice, and provided feedback. They valued my input and always made time to ask for my opinions, showing that they genuinely cared about what I had to say. By openly discussing their own mistakes, they created a space where I felt safe to learn and grow. They never made me feel inadequate, which has been crucial in helping me manage my impostor syndrome.

Final reflections.

From my first day, I knew that joining PeopleUnboxed was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This is not only because of the culture and values embedded within the team but also because of each and every individual and what they bring to the table.

The support and warmth I’ve received have not only made me feel welcomed but also raring to go and excited for what lies ahead. I’m eager to continue growing, learning, and contributing to this incredible team.

If we haven’t had the chance to say hello yet, please drop me a line on LinkedIn or send me an email – I’d love to connect!