6 Ways You Can Help Your Employees Grow and Develop
Posted August 24th, 2020
Investing in your workforce’s development is typically a smart move. When you do, you help your employees acquire new skills and strengthen their capabilities while simultaneously boosting morale. As they become more competent and engaged, their performance rises, creating a win-win scenario.
At times, it can be difficult to find ways to help your employees grow and develop. If you are at a loss as to how to begin, here are six approaches that can work.
1. Mentorship
Mentorship programs can be an excellent choice if you want your employees to grow professionally. For the mentor, they get a chance to take on the role of teacher and leader, all while sharing their expertise with the next generation of professionals. The mentees get hands-on, personalized experiences along with insights from a pro who’s been in their shoes.
Another bonus is that mentorship programs typically don’t come with big price tags. At most, you may have small dips in productivity while the two are engaging with one another, though the impacts of which tend to be incredibly limited.
2. Job Shadowing
In a similar vein, job shadowing can allow an employee to explore potential career pathways or explore cross-training opportunities. One worker observes another for a set amount of time, allowing them to learn what a day in that position is like and whether it may be a good fit for them.
At times, job shadowing can be incredibly motivating, especially if the experience connects to a possible career roadmap. It shows what their hard work can lead to, which may enhance their focus and dedication.
3. Feedback
Feedback can be a surprisingly powerful tool, but only when used properly. Waiting until an employee’s annual review isn’t the right approach, as too much time has usually passed between a learning opportunity and the meeting.
Ideally, you want to provide feedback frequently. Whenever an employee could benefit from guidance, embrace that moment in a constructive manner. Then, it will become a learning opportunity.
4. Education Support
If you need your employees to participate in formal educational options, and can’t offer the coursework in-house, consider providing financial support. Tuition reimbursement or student loan assistance can encourage workers to participate in an approved program, as they aren’t shouldering all (or, if possible, any) of the cost.
5. Internal Training
Having an internal learning and development (L&D) solution can be ideal for some companies. You can make coursework available based on an employee’s role or career objectives, making it possible for them to develop while they are at work.
If you can’t go that far, even a robust knowledge base can make a difference. It makes critical pieces of information readily available, ensuring employees can get answers to crucial questions with ease.
6. Conferences
While professional conferences are somewhat limited due to COVID-19, that may not always be the case. If the pandemic fades, consider covering your employees’ costs for attending trade shows, industry events, or similar options, as many of them come with some excellent learning opportunities.
Call Us Today
If you’d like to learn more about how you can facilitate the growth and development of your workforce, the staff at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us today.
