Taboo Topic #1 Strife Between Seniors & Newbies. Hiring Generations in the Workplace – a discussion to close the forensic newbie gap through better understanding and communication. Learn about different perspectives between the new hires and more seasoned employees within the Forensic field.
Full Taboo Topic Video Can be Found on Our Instagram @gapscience or Click the Link Below:
Try our Audio Version Here!
What is a Forensic Newbie?
When we think of a newbie a lot of us immediately jump to the concept of someone straight out of college or an internship and is completely green in the field. So, let’s define a newbie – Someone who is new to the team, not necessarily new to the field.
As a forensic trainer or supervisor you often have to fill positions and that can consist of hiring from other departments or units. With any new person there’s always going to be growing pains.
Are you constantly asking yourself…. “What’s with these new hires?” “Why is everyone so difficult to integrate?” If so, let’s close the gaps.
The Forensic Newbie Perspective
It’s intimidating: Whether they’ve been in the game for awhile or this is their first real role in a unit it’s still intimidating to try to integrate into a new team.
I don’t want to sound stupid: Everyone comes from different backgrounds and no one is ever trained 100% the same. Sometimes a lack of experience can come across as a lack of knowledge.
Figuring out the cliques within the teams and squads: Every new person has to immediately deal with getting put into a box the minute they step into a new unit.
Common Issues that come from Newbies
A LOT of issues that immediately come from a newbie in a new unit is when they come in with a terrible attitude. We can’t tell you how many people we’ve trained that lack humility and walk in with the I-know-everything mentality.
Newbies, Team trust goes two ways. If your supervisor does not feel valued then they are not going to help you develop. It’s a small community. You want to learn and develop from every supervisor you come across.
What is a Senior?
This might be kind of a duh moment, but a senior is the opposite of a newbie. These team members have been developed to the point where supervisors don’t ask other people for help. They trust their seniors and know that they’ll get the job done without mistakes or issues.
The Senior Perspective
They already know how to do the work: They’ve developed SOPs that the supervisor is happy with and do tasks exactly how the supervisor trusts they will get done.
I have a standard and quality to upkeep: Trust has to be developed for any newbie to be given a supporting role.
The longer you are in the field the more responsibility you have: They have to testify and go over every single thing that happened on the scene – which is stressful when they try to delegate to someone they don’t trust
Close the Gaps with Gap Science:
Teamwork Takes Trust – Here are some tips that both parties can do to help grow as a team
- Be reliable – Build the trust
- Be a sponge, willing to learn, with an enthusiastic positive attitude
- Communicate (don’t stew)
- Build your SOPs
The Senior:
Overpunishing mistakes causes anxiety and more team issues down the road
Trainers & Supervisors need to be patient
The Newbies:
Be a sponge, a fly on the wall. Don’t ask questions during processing, don’t jump the gun when an answer is coming, & don’t be a Toddler! This is X … but why? … why? … how come? … why?
How many questions is too many questions? Learn to read body language. If you can tell someone is getting annoyed with your questions don’t just keep asking questions! Set up a time to go over your questions, or find someone else to answer them. Alternately, you can work with this person to determine why they’re getting frustrated. Perhaps they’ve already given you that answer, or you keep cutting them off when they were about to explain in more detail. Be self aware.
Know your learning style. Do you need to take notes? Don’t ask your trainer 800 times.
Also, keep long term goals to yourself.. unless you plan on staying with your new agency
Supervisors:
Using preferred shifts as rewards?
Don’t abuse the help the newbies offer. Seniors – take the time to develop. You’re going to have to work with this newbie anyway… build the rapport. Don’t try to help avoid senior burnout by taking advantage of the “new” people.
Closing the Forensic Newbie Gap Wrap-up:
The community is small and building a team is going to take dedication and patience. If everyone comes in with a great attitude and a willingness to learn from each other then your job as a supervisor is going to be so much easier. However, when does that ever happen? Try to develop strategies to help your team grow their mindsets.
Be a leader not a clique manager.
Ready to take the next steps in your supervisor training? Check out our Forensic Supervision Training Course Class Overview – Here!
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