Page 1 - Mutual Partner Guide - 2025

Mutual Partner Guide

What is a Mutual Partner?

A mutual partner is a team member that the hiring manager assigns to partner with the new hire
during his/her first two months of employment to positively support the new hire’s onboarding
journey. While primarily responsible for offering advice and guidance regarding the day-to-day
aspects of working at Texas Mutual, the mutual partner may also offer encouragement and
knowledge resources, as they help introduce the new hire to the TXM culture.

According to Harvard Business Review, studies show that being a buddy is mutually beneficial.

“It’s not just the new hire who can benefit from this relationship. Serving as an onboarding buddy provides
an opportunity to demonstrate and develop managerial and leadership skills. A few years ago, we
surveyed our employees to understand the attributes of a successful manager. Two of the top five
attributes, communication and support, are also components for a successful buddy relationship.
Additionally, teaching others can strengthen one’s own knowledge base, enabling buddies to develop a
deeper level of expertise” (Harvard Business Review).

Mutual Partner Key Characteristics

 Communicator: A mutual partner encourages open communication. They provide relevant
information and encouragement to the new hire.
 Role Model: A mutual partner is a model employee and exemplifies TXM values.
 Motivator: A mutual partner has a positive outlook on his/her work and use that perspective to
help build self-confidence and loyalty in the new hire. The partner should lead by example.
 Strong Performer: A mutual partner should help guide the new hire in many situations based on
his/her experience and knowledge obtained in the work environment.

Why have a Mutual Partner?

The purpose is to help welcome the new hires and reaffirm their decision to join Texas Mutual. It
provides new hires with a reliable, motivated, single point-of-contact for their basic questions
regarding their work experience at TXM. It also helps establish orientation as a process, rather
than a single learning event.

Other Advantages

• Builds on the knowledge obtained in Mutual First Day and New Employee Orientation
• Enables new hires to become knowledgeable about department practices and TXM culture in a shorter period
• Reduces the initial confusion and uncertainty and increases confidence
• Maximizes the productivity of manager/new hire meetings by allowing them to focus on job-specific
tasks/issues