Setting the Stage for Success: Cardinal Group’s Onboarding Advantage

Author: Courtney Travis – Manager, Customer Experience

At Cardinal Group Management, we understand that our success hinges on the growth and development of our team members. That’s why we’ve invested in a robust support system designed to guide new team members (TMs) and cultivate leadership skills among our experienced TMs: the Cardinal Coach Program.

A Foundation of Support for New Team Members

Starting a new job can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming for new team members facing a flurry of information, processes, and systems to learn. The Cardinal Coach Program was created to ensure every new onsite team member receives the guidance and support they need to thrive from day one and has someone who directly encourages their growth and development.

A new team member recently shared, “My Cardinal Coach was amazing! She was always helpful when I had any questions and always answered in a timely manner. I came in from a transition, and coming into a new company was very intimidating at first; having her there to help through the process was a tremendous help.“

Beyond traditional onboarding, which often consists of paperwork and basic training, our program pairs new team members with a dedicated Cardinal Coach. This coach serves as a peer mentor, providing personalized support, answering questions, and helping them navigate their new role.

Here’s what sets the Cardinal Coach Program apart:

• Personalized Support: New team members receive one-on-one guidance from an experienced Culture Champion who understands the ins and outs of their role at Cardinal.
• Comprehensive Onboarding: In addition to the custom onboarding guides in Grace Hill and support from their Team Lead, new hires have a dedicated Coach to help them navigate the day-to-day.
• A Focus on Culture: Coaches help new team members integrate into the Cardinal Group culture, ensuring they feel welcome, supported, and connected.

The results speak for themselves. In the past 12 months, the Cardinal Coach Program has supported over 600 onsite team members, contributing to smoother community transitions and increased confidence in their new roles. 92.1% of team members supported by a Cardinal Coach reported in a feedback survey that they agree or strongly agree that they have someone at Cardinal who directly encourages their growth and development. 

Cultivating Leadership Skills

The Cardinal Coach Program isn’t just a support system for new hires; it’s also a valuable leadership development opportunity for our experienced team members.

To become a Cardinal Coach, individuals must be nominated or approved by their director or regional vice president. This ensures that only our strongest leaders, who are deeply committed to the Cardinal Group culture and passionate about helping others succeed, step into this role. As an extra incentive to prioritize this program, these leaders receive a quarterly bonus.

As a Cardinal Coach, team members have the opportunity to:

• Develop Essential Leadership Skills: Coaches refine their abilities to mentor, guide, and empower others, strengthening their leadership capabilities.
• Expand Their Network: Coaches collaborate with team members from different properties and regions, broadening their professional network and fostering cross-functional relationships.
• Reinforce Our Core Values: The program reinforces Core Value #4: Be a team player and respect those you work with by encouraging coaches to embody this principle and instill it in new team members.

The program’s impact on leadership development is significant. To date, several Cardinal Coaches have advanced their careers, with seven individuals being promoted to higher-level positions, including roles such as Operations Analyst and Portfolio Sales and Marketing Manager.

What Our Coaches Say

Here’s what some of our Cardinal Coaches have to say about their experience:

• “I have loved being able to be a resource for so many throughout the company! Being able to see the light bulb go off in someone’s head once they have grasped how a system or a process works, is an amazing site.”
• “Being a Cardinal Coach has allowed me to expand beyond my client and learn new processes and client requests that I wouldn’t normally deal with.”
• “It all comes down to the amazing new people I’ve got the chance to meet! They’ve given me such valuable insights into different perspectives and ways of thinking which has truly enhanced my professional and personal growth.”
• “Being a Cardinal Coach has provided me with an incredible opportunity for both personal and professional growth. With a small onsite team, this role has allowed me to expand my network by meeting new people and building connections. This experience is helping me refine my ability to lead, motivate, and support others, all while continuously learning from those around me.”

Investing in Our People, Investing in Our Future

The Cardinal Coach Program exemplifies our commitment to investing in our people. By providing comprehensive support for new team members and empowering our experienced leaders, we’re building a stronger, more knowledgeable, and more connected team. This investment translates to a higher level of service for our clients and ultimately contributes to the success of Cardinal Group Management.

Current team members who have served at least six months as a Cardinal Coach:

Tori Bedsole, Breanda Davis, Audrey Schrader, Joseph Alvarez, Gabby Buteau, Melanie Maule, Jordan Wells, Matt O’Neill, Alex Locker