Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Leadership Resistance to Modern Onboarding

Jamie Smith
L&D Specialist
Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Leadership Resistance to Modern Onboarding

Imagine a world where every leader in your organization embraces modern onboarding. It would be a utopia of engaged employees, accelerated productivity, and flawless communication. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that world; we live in a world where leadership resistance to modern onboarding is a common challenge. But don’t worry, because we’ve got the keys to overcoming it.

1. Understand the Root Cause of Resistance

To address leadership resistance, it’s essential to understand the root cause behind it. Numerous factors contribute to this resistance, such as fear of change, lack of trust in the new system, or concerns about the ROI of the initiative. “Leaders are often skeptical of modern onboarding because they’re used to traditional methods and may perceive new methods as a risk,” says an experienced L&D professional.

2. Educate Leaders on the Benefits

One of the best ways to overcome resistance is by showcasing the benefits of modern onboarding. This includes emphasizing the potential for improved employee engagement, faster time-to-productivity, and increased retention. Sharing case studies and success stories from other organizations can help dispel skepticism and demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting modern onboarding practices.

3. Involve Leaders in the Decision-Making Process

Involvement breeds commitment. By involving leaders in the decision-making process, you can create a sense of ownership and buy-in for the new onboarding strategy. “The more leaders feel that they have a say in the process, the more likely they are to support it,” explains an L&D consultant. Collaborate with leaders to identify their needs, gather feedback, and tailor the onboarding approach to address their concerns.

4. Implement a Change Management Plan

Change management is crucial for overcoming resistance to any organizational change, including modern onboarding. Develop a comprehensive change management plan that addresses communication, training, and support for leaders throughout the transition. This can include regular progress updates, leader-specific training sessions, and ongoing support to troubleshoot any issues that may arise during implementation.

5. Leverage Learnexus to Connect with Expert Freelancers

One of the most significant challenges of implementing modern onboarding is finding the right talent to develop and deliver the program. That’s where Learnexus comes in. Learnexus is a freelancer marketplace for Learning & Development, helping managers at companies quickly and easily find and hire freelancers with highly specific skills and experience in L&D. With a 47% cost saving and a single master services agreement, Learnexus saves managers time and eliminates procurement issues.

Why struggle with leadership resistance to modern onboarding when you can tap into the expertise of Learnexus? Let us help you accelerate your organization’s journey to an engaged, productive, and high-performing workforce by connecting you with the best L&D freelancers today.