What is a Buddy?

A buddy is someone who partners with a new employee during their first three months of employment. They offer advice and guidance to help foster and promote the professional development of a new employee. The buddy knows the ropes, so to speak, and can be an effective source of advice and encouragement. The buddy can offer seasoned experienced in the form of training and socializing the new employee to the environment. With an effective buddy, a new employee will quickly become a contributing member to the department.

 Buddy Selection Criteria*

•                     Demonstrates high performance

•                     Is given time to be accessible to the new employee

•                     Is skilled in the new employee’s job

•                     Is proud of the organization

•                     Is a peer of the new employee

•                     Has patience and good communication and interpersonal skills

•                     Wants to be a “buddy”

•                     Is a positive role model (well regarded and accepted by current employees)

•                     Has been selected in advance and trained in “buddy” responsibilities

Buddy Responsibilities*                                                                                                                                               •                     Be an informational resource for the new employee on policies, procedures, work rules, norms, etc.

•                     Help socialize the new employee

•                     Assist in training the new employee

•                     Be a tour guide

•                     Identify resources

•                     Provide introductions

 Buddy Benefits:                   

 •                     Give something back to your Department

•                     Share accumulated knowledge and experience

•                     Gain a better understanding of yourself through helping others

•                     Maintain or create a fresh perspective

What the Buddy Expects from a Trainee:

Confidentiality: The buddy expects that the trainee can be trusted with information, whether it is technical, business, personal or otherwise

Constructive Criticism:The buddy expects that the trainee will receive constructive criticism in good spirit

Learning:The buddy expects the trainee will display a coachable attitude and an eagerness to learn

Tips for Buddies:

 •         Don’t worry about being perceived as the “expert.” Your experience is important to the trainee.

•         Be patient and positive. It takes time to develop a relationship.

•         Don’t try to cover everything right away. Buddies need to allow enough time for growth.

•          Don’t try to force a relationship.

•                     Look for a preferred style of communication and/or cultural identification

•                     Don’t try to turn your trainee into your clone. That person may have a different style from yours. Let the trainee develop.

•                     Listening may be more important than giving advice.

•                     Don’t be judgmental.

•                     Don’t lose heart because of a trainee’s failures. You cannot always ensure success, but you can help that person to begin again more intelligently.

•                     You can help a trainee see a failed experience as valuable by honestly identifying where it went wrong.

•                     Buddies can often prevent failure from happening to a trainee a second time.

•                     Keep a good attitude and stay in a teaching spirit.

What the Trainee Expects from Their Buddy:

•                     General advise

•                     Guidance

•                     Encouragement

•                     Positive attitude from the buddy

•                     Shared information is confidential

•                     Honest feedback

•                     Clear information

•                     Help in understanding the culture of an organization and finding out how to get things done

•                     Assistance in building networks and insight into how to make them effective and productive

•                     Establishment of the best form of communication – email, telephone, in person                             

Tips for Trainees:

•                     Ask questions

•                     Learn to evaluate the ideas and suggestions given to you by your buddy.

•                     Just because something felt right to another person does not necessarily mean that it is right for you.

•                     On the other hand, it never hurts to try new things. Be open to new ways of looking at situations and doing things differently.

•                     The buddy program is just one tool for developing strengths and addressing weaknesses. 

•                     Don’t expect this relationship will solve all of your problems. It is your responsibility to learn to solve your own problems, but there is no reason to do that in isolation when other people with more knowledge and experience in a particular discipline or profession can offer you advice. Take advantage of others’ experiences.

•                     Have patience and realize the limits of the buddy relationship

•                     Accept constructive criticism