If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, you’ve probably had at least a few different jobs and you’ve likely had a diversity of experiences—with co-workers, bosses, cultures, environments. Of these, what stood out to you? Or stands out to you now? For me, it has been the times when I’ve had a confidant. Not a friend necessarily, but someone I admired and trusted. Someone who didn’t just challenge me to be better, but also helped me get there. Someone whose example I could emulate, even it was as simple as how to dress or carry myself in a meeting. And, most importantly, someone who was benefitting from me, too—and I knew it and it helped build my confidence even more.

Imagine presenting an award as a recognition effort in front of the entire company, only to find your employee breaking out in a nervous sweat, acting uncomfortable, and privately holding it against you? Chances are, your good deed turns into a negative experience for the reciever and leaves you questioning your actions.

You can have a careful hiring process and feel confident that you’ve chosen the right candidate, but sometimes things still don’t go as planned. This truth is why many companies have a 90-day trial period during which a new hire is evaluated for aptness and aptitude. Do you have one? Have you ever considered that it’s not only the employee’s time to shine, but also yours? In a job market where top talent has options, the last thing you want to do is give them a reason to explore other ones. Just sayin’.

There’s nothing like a new job to make us feel like we’re square back in high school, searching the lunchroom for a friendly face, hoping we’re going to fit in. With some group. Any group. But, ideally, the cool one. Ugh. Gross. I don’t even want to think about it, actually.

Have you ever showed up on your first day of a job and it was obvious your new employer wasn’t the slightest bit prepared? Maybe you were left in the lobby for 45 minutes until someone had a minute to come and collect you. Or, you got to your desk and it was still full of the last person’s belongings. Could be everyone was eying you strangely, wondering if you were an interloper or actually supposed to be there.