What is a buddy?
A buddy is someone who is introduced to a new starter during their induction. They hold an informal relationship with the new starter and should provide support, advice, guidance, and understanding on general aspects of working at the World Scout Bureau (WSB).
A buddy provides new staff with a reliable, motivated, single point-of-contact for their basic questions. It also helps establish the induction as a process, rather than a single learning event. Buddy relationships can be mutually beneficial, as current members of staff may be looking to support the development of others or contribute to learning.
Finally, the buddy system supports further staff development and cross-team projects that allow both an employee and the organisation to grow.
Why do we have buddies?
Together we want to create a safe, supportive environment that allows new starters to feel welcome, adjust well, and give their best. With team members coming from different backgrounds and experiences, a buddy acts as an approachable point of contact for a new starter who can help them navigate their new role, build connections, and understand our values and team culture.
Who can be a buddy?
A buddy should be someone at the same level of the new starter. They may hold a similar role in the same department in another region, or they may be from a different department with the idea of establishing cross-team collaboration and belonging.
Overall, a buddy, a friend, is beneficial to all aspects of individual growth, wellbeing, and support within any organisation.
How to be a buddy?
As a line manager, you should consider the new starter’s need for a buddy before they join the organisation. You should review the new starter’s needs in their role, their understanding of the Movement, and any additional needs that they may have so that they can successfully adapt to working at the WSB.
The buddy will be introduced during the induction period and it should be encouraged for the two of them to be self-directed in setting up informal catch ups and create a supportive dynamic.
When considering the buddy, you should reach out to that person and their line manager to ensure it’s within their capacity and is equally beneficial to the development of the buddy. Consider all regions, any team or role, when choosing a buddy as this is not an operational relationship. Instead, it supports the integration, wellbeing, and ‘stupid questions’ part of settling in and building relationships with in the WSB.
You should empower the new starter to maintain and evolve their buddy relationship, even after the induction period.
Through a buddy, a new employee or colleague can develop their skills, support wellbeing and knowledge management, all through social interaction and informal learning. The buddy system often accelerates the productivity of colleagues, enhances job satisfaction, and helps build an immediate personal connection between the employee and the organization.
The buddy system is informal and not for the line manager to ask for notes or check in on. in and building relationships within the World Scout Bureau.
The role of the buddy is to:
- Create space for the new starter to openly express their thoughts, questions, and reflections.
- Be a friendly face.
- Encourage the sharing of information.
- Support the link between departments and colleagues.
- Support the understanding into ways of working at the Bureau, and with different department and teams.
- Help navigate different tools and technologies.
Tips for buddies:
- No pressure, you’re not expected to be an expert at everything.
- Keep it informal, be patient, and allow things to develop naturally.
- Maintain WSB values in your approach.
- Provide opportunities for feedback.
Additional information:
- Discuss the experience with your line manager too.
- Keep the relationship going.
- Remember this is a mutual beneficial relationship.
- Always be mindful of how you engage in an intercultural environment.