When it comes to building high-performing teams, culture isnʼt just a buzzword. Culture is the invisible thread that weaves employees together, connecting them and showing them how your organisation ticks. Yet, too often, onboarding focuses purely on processes, tools, and compliance, leaving new hires to figure out the organisationʼs culture on their own.
This is where culture carriers come in: employees who embody your values and help newcomers navigate, adopt, and amplify the organisationʼs identity from day one.
Why Onboarding is Critical for Culture
Onboarding is the perfect opportunity to instil organisational identity and foster early connection. The first few weeks of employment are crucial and formative – research shows that employees who feel a sense of belonging and purpose early on are more engaged, productive, and likely to stay. By integrating culture into onboarding from the get-go, organisations can:
- Clarify Identity – Early exposure to the organisationʼs missions, values, and norms help new hires understand not just what to do, but how to do it. Culture carriers can demonstrate how values translate into day-to-day behaviour, from decision- making to collaborating. These employees are the key to passing along your organisationʼs energy.
- Build Connection – Humans are social creatures, including at work. Strong onboarding programs leverage culture carriers to connect new employees with colleagues, teams and networks. These early networks create a sense of belonging and foster peer support, boosting engagement and psychological safety.
- Accelerate Early Performance – Understanding culture isnʼt just about “fitting inˮ: itʼs about knowing how to contribute effectively and collaboratively. Culture carriers help new hires navigate unwritten rules, decision-making processes, and team dynamics, enabling them to make meaningful contributions faster, breaking into the work environment with encouragement and openness.
Best Practices for Shaping Culture in Onboarding:
→ Pair new hires with a ‘buddy’
Assign mentors who exemplify the organisation’s values, not just their technical skills. These open conversations for new-hires to learn ore deeply about the business, and feel connected early-on.
→ Embed culture with the micro-moments
A welcome message, invite for coffee, or team meeting all demonstrate values in action and have a large cultural impact, building networks and connection.
→ Measure engagement and feedback
Continuously ask your new-hires about their onboarding experience. Are they connecting with the culture? Use their insights to refine your program – they are the experts here!
The ROI of Culture-Focused Onboarding
Investing in culture carriers during onboarding isnʼt just a feel-good strategy: it drives measurable results. Employees who understand and engage with company culture:
Conclusion
Onboarding isnʼt just about paperwork, processing and meetings. Its the first step in socialising new employees into your unique culture.
By leveraging culture carriers to instil identity, foster connection, and accelerate performance, organisations can transform new hires into confident, engaged contributors who carry your culture forward.
After all, a strong culture doesnʼt just happen overnight: its carried, nurtured, and shared.
