Creating Welcoming Practices
I've been thinking about what makes us feel welcomed - be that for new employees or clients. How do we signal a feeling of welcome?
My first time attending an al-anon meeting I was warmly greeted with a newcomer packet. Given my tenderness in the situation, I was so taken with the thought that had gone into having a folder of materials waiting - just in case someone new shows up. In attending other 12-step meetings, I came to learn that there are people who take on this role - the one who will welcome newcomers. They are responsible for noticing who is new, approaching them and providing a welcome. They will pull out the packet of materials that are often toted in and out as 12-step meetings occur as pop-up events in borrowed spaces. This is a particular knowing of what will be needed when someone is new and they arrive.
A few years ago, I was on a work trip in South Korea. Traveling with two colleagues, we were giving presentations on best practices in the field with public health officials in South Korea. As we walked into our first meeting, at the U-shaped table and chairs a place had been set for each of us. There were handwritten name tags, snacks, water, note pads and pens, a public health button all placed on a paper placemat. This delighted and surprised me. Someone had taken the time to come in early to this room and arrange this all as a welcome. Beyond our graphs of data and sharing of insights for scaling promising interventions, someone had taken the effort to first invite us to feel welcomed.
I recently joined a new gym. I'm not in the shape I use to be or the shape I want to be. I've never been a part of a circuit gym or box gym. So many new things for me to get use to. I already fell off the bench doing one of the balancing workouts. I feel so alive/terrified with the huge learning curve and potential - even as I keep backing away from internal shame and embarrassment. Right away I noticed how the staff have taken note of me - each one calls me by my name. They welcome me, help me with my form and recently even brought me a hair tie when I had forgotten one as I rushed out the door. Even as I wobble, fail early in the timed workouts, and get behind - I feel welcomed. I'm a bit awestruck at how quickly they learned my name - even with all of us wearing masks. Some days I get up and go to the gym just because I know I will be noticed.
What do these three examples have in common?
Intention - In each of these settings, decision-makers prioritized welcoming people was *part* of the work, not a nice to have but a way to begin.
Planning - There is advance work, an "operationalization" of welcoming, it becomes part of executing a plan. It's not an after-thought.
Small actions - All of the welcoming interactions were free or low cost - the yield was in the human connection that came from the intention and planning. So, hold the letterpress and embroidered swag — for now. Start with the small, consistent actions.
How have you recently felt welcomed? And what are you doing on the regular to welcome someone?
I'm so grateful for the thoughtfulness extended to me in each of these scenarios - where I might have nerves, feel tender, or otherwise back away because the task in front of me is too hard. Instead, I move forward with the connection that comes from feeling welcomed.
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what you see.”