Today I want to talk about a key leadership skill: developing everyone on your team. Since the start of 2020, the world has moved into a period of increased A.I. capability while at the same time entering into a period where critical skills are in short supply.
This was followed by Covid and then the great resignation, where our highly skilled workforce was considering a move unless their company could tick several boxes, including continuous access to training and development.
If you want a thriving, engaged team, you must pay them well whilst developing them.
Developing all of your team members is essential to achieving success as a team and supporting each individual’s growth and advancement.
Whether you are part of a leadership team managing managers, a manager, or a team leader, it is important to understand how to help each team member elevate their skills and reach their full potential.
In today’s post, I want to share several strategies for developing everyone on your team.
Create Individual Development Plans
The first step in developing your team members is to create a development plan aligned to each person and their personal and company goals and objectives.
This plan should be tailored to each individual’s strengths, development areas, career goals, and skill or knowledge gaps in their current role.
Consider conducting a skills assessment to identify areas that need improvement and determine which training or development help would be most beneficial.
Remember to set clear expectations and goals for each team member and regularly review and update the development plan during performance review sessions and informal catch-ups to ensure progress.
Provide Project Work That is Stretching
Project work generally stretches people and consequently helps them grow and develop their skills. A well-known quote by Robert Allen, the respected author, and mentor, suggests that everything we want; and our ability to grow is outside of our comfort zone.
Your employees are encouraged to learn and expand their skills when you give them tasks that stretch their current abilities, skill sets, and traits. This benefits the individual and the team, as each person brings their newfound skills and knowledge back to the workplace.
Provide Training Consistently
Investing in your team members by offering training consistently as part of their development plan is a great way to support their growth and contribution to the organisation.
This can include workshops, courses, and training programs that help employees acquire new skills or knowledge in their current field and how they develop personally.
Remember that encouraging team members to attend conferences and networking events can also provide opportunities for their learning and growth.
Encourage Collaboration, Give Feedback, and Recognise Their Contribution
Collaboration isn’t always easy, though one of its many upsides is that it helps people to develop, especially when it comes to building softer skills and appreciating how others see the world differently.
Regularly acknowledging and rewarding good performance can help boost morale and motivation. Providing constructive feedback is critical to assisting individuals in improving their performance so they stand a chance of achieving their goals.
At the same time, regular feedback reinforces the behaviours you want to see more of, while recognition builds trust and creates a positive work environment.
Encourage Autonomy and Offer Coaching and Mentorship
Giving team members the freedom to take ownership of their work and make decisions can help support their growth and development while simultaneously delivering improved results for the organisation. Encouraging employees to be proactive and take the initiative can help build their confidence and leadership skills, provided you give guidance and support when needed.
Coaching and mentorship are key components in developing your team members, as I mentioned in depth in my last post on the value of coaching here. Regularly check in with your team members to offer support and guidance and provide opportunities for employees to share their progress and ask for feedback. Through coaching and mentorship, you can help your team members navigate challenges and provide valuable insight and advice to help them improve their performance on multiple levels while they also reach their goals.
Foster a Positive Work Environment
Creating a positive work environment built around your company culture and employer value proposition is key to supporting employee development. A supportive and inclusive culture that promotes employee well-being and satisfaction can help increase motivation and engagement and improve performance.
This can include creating a flexible work schedule, providing opportunities for work-life balance, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Developing your people is crucial to achieving success as a team. By implementing the strategies I have outlined today, you can help support the growth and advancement of each individual, ultimately leading to a more productive, motivated, and successful team.
Remember, investing in your team members is not just about achieving your goals as a team but also about supporting each individual’s growth and career advancement.
Until next time,
Julia Carter
About Zestfor
Zestfor delivers training and development programs and resources scientifically tailored for technical markets – including Pharmaceutical, I.T., and Life Sciences.
Our blend of in-classroom, online, and virtual live-stream delivery methods will engage and assure even the most introverted team members from the first meeting. Let us arrange a brief chat; call us at 0845 548 0833.
