Leading vulnerable workers without patronizing them: Lessons from onboarding employees with a refugee background

Many organizations employ vulnerable workers – be it out of economic necessity or social responsibility – yet frontline managers are often ill-equipped to onboard and lead them effectively. Based on nearly 200 interviews with refugees, their supervisors, colleagues, and HR representatives, this article identifies five actionable leadership practices that help managers support vulnerable newcomers without patronizing them. Each practice engages the entire team, turning onboarding into an opportunity for collective learning and enhanced productivity. Grounded in real cases and applicable across sectors and national contexts, the practices offer concrete guidance for practitioners and a foundation for future research.