Many company managers assume that they know everything there is to know about staff development. But when you probe them, you soon discover otherwise.
It’s one of the most misunderstood HR issues in the business world.
In this post, we look at 7 things about staff development you wish you knew.
It Increases Confidence
There’s a big difference between education and transformation. Education is where you’re able to explain concepts to another person and have them understand.
Transformation, however, is when you live and breathe those ideas and enact them in your own life.
Staff development is all about transforming your employees, giving them both the training and the confidence to be their best. It’s the difference between somebody who has read about tennis and a pro who has competed at a Grand Slam.
It’s Not Just Manager-Speak
Staff development is way more than a management buzzword.
In many ways, it’s the ticket to success – the thing your business needs to thrive when your people become the best version of themselves, your organisation’s total output and creativity rockets.
It Doesn’t Just Address Weaknesses
Part of staff development is addressing weaknesses. But the natural “value add” is the way it brings out your colleagues’ strengths.
There’s nothing like the shock on a senior manager’s face when they finally see the full extent of talent that’s been sitting right under their noses the entire time.
It Improves Compliance
In general, people in your organisation will resist following rules just for the sake of it. They want to know why they are there in the first place.
Sometimes, it’s obvious. For example, breaking the rules could be dangerous. But other times, it requires an in-depth understanding of the field.
Staff development teaches your colleagues the value of rules and makes sure that their knowledge is up to date. As a result, it makes it more likely that they will make the correct decisions and comply with the latest regulations.
It Increases Motivation
Staff development doesn’t just improve your colleagues’ skills; it also boosts their motivation.
When people in your organisation are working towards bettering themselves – experiencing progress – it makes them more willing to put in the extra time to get stuff done. Their desire to complete goes up because they feel like more valued members of the organisation.
It Reduces Employee Turnover
On a related note, staff development also tends to lower employee turnover – all things held equal.
Again, it has to do with what colleagues want from their jobs. Most people want isn’t higher pay but a sense that they are moving forward in their lives and making progress.
Employee turnover is a high cost for many businesses, and it can damage their brand image if levels are high enough. But staff development helps to bring numbers down and can make your relationship with employees less transactional.
If you would like staff training, coaching or development, get in touch with us today.
We create bespoke programmes designed to get the best out of people in your organisation.
