About three months ago, I walked in the door of Hawaiian Airlines as their new Director of Employee Benefits. Before doing so, I heard everything from ‘Hawaii is very different than the mainland’ to ‘working for an airline is not like anything you have ever experienced.’ They weren’t wrong, but this doesn’t mean I am ready to run back to the mainland. Why? Because as I walked in the door I activated four principles, which have made me feel more than comfortable in my new job. I learned these lessons through trial and error when starting three very different corporate benefits positions over the past 10 years. So, if you are starting a new benefits job, no matter what level, here are my two cents on how to feel welcome, secure, and successful in your first few months:
1) Bring in Donuts (or Malasadas in Hawaii) and a Fruit Platter – The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right? As an HR guy, I know I should not be talking about winning hearts (especially on day one of a new job), but you understand my point. Quite simply, everyone loves donuts, the wellness gurus will appreciate the fruit, and if you are really lucky, someone will email the entire department that YOU were the one who brought in breakfast.
