What good employee development looks like
I recently read an article about the purpose of education, and it suggested that good schooling teaches students three things: how to think, how to work and how to lead. Note that it doesn't say what to think, but how to think. It struck me as an excellent summary of the purpose of schools.
It seems to me that exactly the same goals are relevant for how business leaders should develop their people. Whether we’re talking about onboarding new employees, providing across-the-board learning opportunities or designing a high-potential leadership program, three goals need to be front and center.
How to think
The ability to think strategically and operationally
Be open to new ideas
Think creatively
Be critical of your own and others’ ideas
Understand quantitative information
Weigh risks intelligently
Possess other cognitive skills
How to work
Hold yourself and others to a high standard
Organize your work efficiently
Prioritize appropriately
Pay attention to detail
Meet deadlines
Develop good relationships up, down, sideways and out to customers
Know when it’s time to take a break
Ask for help when you need it
Read the room
Pick up on the organizational culture
How to lead
Inspire and motivate others
Influence without authority (and with it)
Give feedback in a way that is helpful to the recipient
Regulate your own emotions and behavior
Place the well-being of the organization ahead of your personal goals
Project confidence without arrogance
Exhibit other leadership qualities and behaviors
Some of these goals are basic skills that can be taught fairly easily—weighing risks in a logical manner, prioritizing your work and giving feedback effectively are examples. Training programs, online or in-person courses, and mentorship from peers and supervisors are possible channels for this kind of training. Other skills are more nuanced and subtle, like strategic thinking, reading the room, and projecting confidence without arrogance. These skills are best developed by copying excellent role models and individual coaching.
Whether you’re a kid in school, a young adult just entering the workforce or a senior leader, these same skills are crucial to your success. It’s a lifelong project to master them. To talk more about leadership development, reach out to me at ggolden@gailgoldenconsulting.com.
