Continue to Learn

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” ~ Brian Herbert

We should avoid “plateauing” in our careers. Keep learning new things. Stay current in your industry. Discover what more is out there.

There are obvious ways to do this, of course. Take a course. Read a book. Study a manual. Watch a video. Attend conference presentations.

We can also develop our people while we expand our knowledge base. If you have an up-and-coming junior staffer, encourage them to learn something (any of the methods listed above will do it) and then come back and give a lunch-and-learn to bring the rest of the team up-to-speed. Offer and reward professional development credits and cover the costs of training and travel for staff members. Bring in an expert to do a half-day or full-day seminar on something that will help develop your entire team.

Communicate your expectations of continued professional development for everyone on the team throughout their careers. Then walk-the-walk by providing opportunities, support, and your own example.

(image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122250207656150774&set=a.122180885942150774)