Onboarding: Starting a New Job Successfully

CareerCast - Life-long Career Development

Maude DiVittis The actions you take once you accept an offer will often determine whether or not you succeed. Nearly half of new leaders and managers fail in their first 18 months, and many of those mistakes can be avoided. In this CareerCast, Maude DiVittis, vice president of global people development at Coach, International, will share insights (from her doctoral research on onboarding), proven strategies, and innovative approaches for successfully transitioning into a new role.

Aired April 19, 2013

Maude DiVittis is currently the vice president of global people development at Coach, International. Her global role focuses on overseeing all organizational development activities, leadership development, talent management, and succession planning. She reports to the global head of human resources.

Prior to Coach, Maude started ExecOnBoard LLC, an organization that successfully supports accelerated workplace performance during transitions. Maude served as both the founder and lead designer for developing strategic learning tools and techniques for customized onboarding processes for leaders, teams, and organizations. Prior to founding ExecOnBoard LLC, Maude served in key learning and development positions from 1995 to 2007 at MTV Networks, a division of Viacom. As senior vice president, learning and organizational development at MTV Networks, from 2002 to 2007, she had oversight for all training, education, performance management, career development, and organizational development initiatives. Prior to joining MTV Networks, Maude worked for nine years at M&M/Mars, a division of MARS Incorporated, in various sales, sales marketing, and training roles, including the position of global training and education associate.

Maude earned her bachelor of arts degree from Miami University of Ohio. She was a scholarship athlete and recognized student-leader. She has an MBA from Columbia University, where she graduated in the top of her class and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honorary. Maude received her doctorate from Columbia University, Teachers College. Her doctoral research explored transition support in a corporate setting for senior leaders during the onboarding process. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Teachers College.

Maude served on the ASTD National Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005 and on the planning committee for the Conference Board in 2005. She currently sits on the Columbia University Strategic Communications Advisory Board and serves on the University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton Advisory Board for CLO curriculum for doctoral studies. She has been recognized nationally as a leader in the field of training and development and is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the American Society for Training & Development. She regularly speaks on panels, teaches seminars, and facilitates workshops nationally.

The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results by George B. Bradt, Jayme A. Check, and Jorge E. Pedraza (2011)

How to Win Friends and Influence People (Reissue edition) by Dale Carnegie (2009)

Onboarding: How to Get Your New Employees Up to Speed in Half the Time by George B. Bradt and Mary Vonnegut (2009)

Your Next Move: The Leader’s Guide to Navigating Major Career Transitions by Michael Watkins (2009)

You’re in Charge, Now What? The 8 Point Plan by Thomas J. Neff and James M. Citrin (2007)

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter (2007)

Sink or Swim: New Job. New Boss. 12 Weeks to Get It Right by Milo Sindell and Thuy Sindell (2006)

Right from the Start: Taking Charge in a New Leadership Role by Dan Ciampa and Michael Watkins (2005)

The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael Watkins (2003)