The Real Reason People Feel Like They’re Failing in New Roles

Most new hires don’t fail because they’re unqualified, they fail because no one ever told them what success looks like.

They start a new role excited and eager to make an impact, but quickly, that energy gets replaced with anxiety. They’re not sure if they’re asking too many questions. They’re unsure if they’re focused on the right things. They’re trying hard—but they’re also trying to read your mind.

And eventually, they start to believe they’re the problem.

They’re not.

The problem is the gap between how companies think they’re onboarding and what’s actually happening on the ground. New hires are too often thrown into the deep end with vague instructions, disorganized resources, and unclear expectations. They aren’t failing, they’re operating in ambiguity.

So how do you fix it?

1. Get clear on what success looks like

Skip the job description fluff. Define the actual outcomes you expect in the first 30, 60, 90 days. What does success really look like in this role? What should they be owning, delivering, or improving? The clearer you are, the faster they can find their footing.

2. Turn the ramp-up period into a roadmap

Every new hire should have a clear path from Day 1 to full productivity. That doesn’t mean a 100-page handbook—it means knowing what they need to learn, who they need to meet, and how they’ll be supported along the way.

3. Put everything in one place

If your team is saying “just ask someone,” that’s not training. Centralize your onboarding resources so new hires can find answers without feeling like a burden. Use checklists, Looms, and short write-ups. Keep it simple. Make it searchable.

4. Build in feedback early and often

Most new hires are desperate to know how they’re doing—but too afraid to ask. Set regular, low-pressure check-ins to talk about progress, questions, and what’s going well. Feedback shouldn’t be a mystery or a surprise.

Don’t leave your new hires guessing.

Set the bar. Show them how to reach it. You’ll build confidence, boost performance, and actually retain the people you worked so hard to find.

Want help creating a training and onboarding system that does all of this? That’s what we do. Let's get in touch.