How to Welcome a New Boss

Having a new boss on the job poses a challenge to current employees, especially if the new boss was hired from outside of the company instead of being promoted from the ranks. At times, it is hard for some employees to welcome a new boss because they may feel awkward about being the ones to welcome someone with a higher position and fear that they may not know how to act in front of their new superior. What these employees may not know is that, at times, the new boss may also have the same apprehension; worrying about how to make a first good impression to his employees.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Introduce yourself. If you have a new boss and you have not met him, introduce yourself. Knock on his door and then walk inside extending your hand towards your new boss and shake his hands warmly and enthusiastically. Make eye contact and speak clearly.
2. Introduce others. Chances are your new boss is already planning on walking around with someone to introduce himself to everyone to show that he can reach out to people. If nobody had been pinpointed to do the honors of showing the new boss around, why not volunteer for this task?
   
   Ask your new boss what his preference way of introduction would be? It may be necessary to call everyone into a conference room and give a brief introduction meeting for your new boss. He may prefer to walk around so he can see and meet his employees in their respective work areas.
3. Show the boss where things are. Your new boss will need the same things that regular employees need on a daily basis. Show your new boss where the restroom is, the break room, the office supplies room, the mail room, the shared office equipment room.
4. Show the boss how things work. It doesn't mean that he is the boss that he should know everything right away. For example, he may need to learn how to use your state-of-the-art coffee maker or the paper shredder. You may not be able to show these to your new boss all at once, but tell him that if he needs help just to let you know.
5. Help them get settled in. Your boss needs as much help that he could get in getting settled in. If he doesn't have his own admin or secretary, you may want to volunteer to perform the role of helping him get his equipment like a computer, telephone and office supplies which he will use to work. Make sure that they are in proper working order before you leave him. Contact the technical people if you cannot fix the things that are not working properly.
6. Give them privacy. Once you have done helping out your new boss, give him some privacy. He would need to take this all in and be able to do his work uninterrupted. Tell him that if he needs further assistance to call you or to come and get you.
7. Be available. When your boss needs help or needs some information as he tries to get used to doing things himself, you may need to help him out every now and then. Let him know that you will be available in case he needs help.
8. Act appropriately. Show respect and proper decorum in your workplace at all times, whether your boss is new or not. Your new boss will have respect for you if you follow good work ethics and remember that your deeds will not go unnoticed.
   
   Do not feel that because he had asked you for some assistance before that you can be so relaxed and too familiar. There is still a line between management and employees that should not be crossed.
   
   Don't tell your new boss that your old boss did things the other way, so avoid comparing them and making reference to the old boss. Remember your new boss may have new shoes to fill but he is his own self and you have to embrace the changes he would need to bring to the workplace.

Tips & Warnings

• Know when to offer help.
• When there are after work get-togethers go ahead and invite your new boss to join to get acquainted with everyone in a more relaxed environment.
• Do not gossip to your new boss about the other employees and vice versa.
• Do not compare your old boss to your new boss.