Remote and hybrid work has transformed onboarding, making it difficult for new hires to learn by observing experienced team members. This leads to challenges like isolation and information overload. In this post, we discuss overcoming these issues and activating the right behaviors in new hires with tailored support.

There's no doubt that the world has seen a great deal of change over the last few years. From COVID-19 forcing many into remote work and others into finding new and creative ways of earning, to the rapid development of AI, working life has started to feel increasingly unpredictable.  

One of the most dramatic changes was having to adapt to hybrid and remote working. While there are many pros to these new setups, they also pose new challenges – one key challenge being how to train and onboard new employees. 

Traditionally, onboarding has relied on in-person shadowing and informal learning from more experienced team members. While this approach helps new hires learn quickly through immersion, it can be overwhelming for both the learner and their mentor. 

In contrast, remote onboarding offers some advantages, such as allowing new hires to process information at their own pace and revisit written materials when needed. However, it also comes with drawbacks, including a sense of isolation and uncertainty about expectations. 

That's where Cognician's Onboarding Quest makes a difference. It keeps the strengths of remote onboarding – flexibility and clarity – while addressing its biggest challenges, like connection and engagement. And it's suitable for fully remote, hybrid, and in-person working environments. 

The Onboarding Quest: A Better Way to Onboard Remote Workers 

The need for human interaction during onboarding hasn't gone away – and shouldn't. Even in a remote working environment, new joiners should be able to ask questions, learn from their colleagues, and build meaningful connections. 

Cognician's Onboarding Quest tackles this issue head-on. It guides participants through ten bite-sized challenges, each designed to reduce overwhelm while supporting meaningful engagement. The program can be tailored to suit the needs of any company to help new hires understand the business' culture, goals, and priorities.  

The very first challenge encourages participants to reach out to a teammate – breaking the sense of isolation early and prompting valuable conversations. By prompting deeper questions and peer interaction, the Onboarding Quest helps new hires get connected from the start. 

Learning Through Action 

The key to developing new habits isn't just knowing what to do – it's doing it. That's why each challenge in the Onboarding Quest ends with a real-world task that puts learning into practice. 

Participants might be asked to connect with a colleague or experiment with a new tool that's core to the company's workflows. This approach reinforces learning by activating behaviors that inspire action, building confidence along the way. Every step is achievable and designed to help new hires grow at a manageable pace. 

Staying Motivated 

Let's be honest – a little reward goes a long way. Our Onboarding Quest uses simple incentives like digital badges to recognize progress and boost motivation. These small wins make each step feel purposeful and rewarding. 

Reflection is also built in. After completing each challenge, participants are invited to reflect on the challenge activity and share insights with peers. This not only deepens learning but also fosters connection, helping remote team members to feel like they're part of something bigger. 

Why It Works 

There's science behind this learning methodology. The design of our Onboarding Quest draws on well-established principles of neuroscience and psychology: reflection, repetition, practical application, and reward. Together, these elements support the encoding of newly gained knowledge to long-term memory and activate lasting behavior change.  

Final Thoughts 

Remote work has created new challenges for the working world, but the process of onboarding doesn't have to be disconnected, confusing, or slow. With Cognician's Onboarding Quest, companies can easily offer an onboarding experience that's effective, efficient, engaging and designed for real impact – whether new hires are in the office or working from home. By activating behavior change where it counts, the challenges help build confidence, strengthen team bonds, and prepare employees to contribute meaningfully.