Keep Learning
The world keeps changing, and we all need to stay current
If we could only use the computer system and software we had in college, would we still be able to do our jobs?
For most professionals, the answer is “probably not.” Continuing to improve your professional skillset is like getting software updates for your brain.
Consider ways to bring more people “into the know.” Does someone on your team have strong skills at something, like giving presentations to clients, using the new scheduling software, or an important quality-control process? Ask that person to do a “lunch-and-learn” presentation for the rest of the team. In-house lunch-and-learns are a great way to grow the presentation skills of junior staffers, as well. Consider having one or two scheduled each month, and give everyone an opportunity to present, if they have something to share.
Consider sending one of your people an outside training, and then having them come back and share what they have learned with the team.
You can also bring in an outside “subject matter expert” to train your team. Make sure that you include yourself in the training, so you can strengthen your own skills and remain competent and relevant.
Given the retention issues facing many industries these days, this may be a smart investment of time, energy, and resources, since investing in your people’s continuing professional development makes them more competent professionals, and they feel valued by the leader who chose to develop them.
