December is a month when the usual routine of life takes a back seat, and the festive spirit takes over.

Why? This is the anthropological argument: celebrations transform our perception of time and space - and it is this transformation that helps give them that extra special meaning in our lives.

The delicate dance between complexity and simplicity is not unique to anthropology— I see it playing out in human resources too. No two people are the same, and therefore, no two companies can be the same. This is where the nuance comes in.

I prefer the term 'integration' over 'onboarding.' Integration has space for the formal components of onboarding that are central. But it’s a more holistic, human-centric word. Integrating a new hire is not just something clinical that is the sole responsibility of Human Resources; it’s something every team member contributes to.

Feedback and recognition may seem like interchangeable terms, but they serve different roles in an organization. Feedback is akin to a roadmap that helps you navigate your career, offering guidelines for improvement and alignment with corporate objectives. Recognition, conversely, celebrates you for who you are, acknowledging your unique attributes, contributions, and successes.

For Chief Scientist, Dr. Aliaa Remtilla, and the team at StoryTiling, anthropology has been much more than an academic subject. It has been a guiding principle, providing the tools to build a more empathetic, inclusive, and successful future in the world of HR.

Emphasizing authenticity during onboarding sets the stage for a similarly authentic workplace culture. Employers should aim to make the first impression count, not just for the organization but also for every unique individual joining the team.