Help New Young Employees When They Make a Mistake

by Doug Smith, President, The Woodhaven Group, LLC

As a 30 year CEO, I truly believe that employees always want to do the right thing and not make a mistake.

I also remember as a young new employee many years ago that I believed I would be fired if I made a mistake of any kind.

Well, mistakes happen.

And they are probably going to happen more often with new young untested employees.  And, yes, these mistakes may have a short-term negative impact on your business cash flow.

If there are not some mistakes being made then the new employee is probably not learning and growing.  I don’t want an employee who is so afraid of making a mistake that they are unwilling to attempt anything new.  That is not how superstars in your company are developed.

Here are tips on working with new young employees that will benefit both them and your company:

1. Make sure they clearly understand the job description of what they are to do.
2. Give them solid initial and ongoing training in their scope of work.  Make sure there is plenty of time  for them to ask questions and follow-up questions.  Don’t just have them look at an online video and call that training.
3. Make it clear they will be accountable for the results of their actions. Most top performers want to be held accountable.
4. Assign someone to work closely with them.  Call this a mentor if you want.
5. Proact by setting a time each week to let them ask questions regarding areas they do not understand or are having a problem with.  Don’t wait for the employee to come to you.
6. When a mistake occurs ask them to go thru the steps or process and if they would do anything differently.
7. Make sure they have victories to celebrate.  When there is a success let them get the credit.  That is part of being accountable.
8. Add more responsibility as they earn it. Otherwise, what are victories for?
9. Through all the steps make sure you listen to what the new young employee is actually saying and not what you may think they are saying. Read between the lines if  you have to.  
10. When the new young employee becomes a success let them mentor their own new employee.

Retaining employees, reducing mistakes, and building teamwork will be obvious by happy customers, increased sales, and more cash flow to grow your business.

Now, go hire your next superstar.