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Level Up: Integrating Development Opportunities into Your Team’s DNA

Writer's picture: Dr. Cristi HaygoodDr. Cristi Haygood

Theory, Theory, Theory...Now that you know the benefits of investing in your Team’s growth and development and its impact on employee retention, let’s delve into putting it into practice. Why should Leaders make development opportunities a seamless part of the Team’s DNA? Integrating growth activities into their daily workflow can not only keep your employees engaged, but also ensure that they’re consistently building new skills and staying motivated. In this second part of our series, we’ll explore specific strategies for embedding development into the daily rhythm of your Team so that learning becomes a natural and ongoing process. This people-centric focus is one of the best productivity hack’s most Leaders don’t fully use. Let’s look at how you can create a culture where growth and productivity go hand in hand. 

🎯 Development Strategies You Can Implement Immediately


  • ✅ Take Action: Encourage Daily Micro-Learning 

    • Encourage the Team to dedicate 10-15 minutes during their day for a quick learning session. This can be in the morning, during lunch, or in the afternoon and should be time-blocked on their schedules to reserve the time. Topics could range from industry trends to specific skill enhancements, such as leading for impact, project management boosters, or effective collaboration and communication. Use this as an opportunity to allow Team Members to also learn new skills that will help them achieve their future career goals. 


  • ✅ Take Action: Conduct “Skill-Swaps” During Team Meetings

    • Reserve a portion of your Team Meeting or better yet, hold a special meeting focused solely on skill-sharing. During the session, rotating Team Members can teach the group something new they’ve learned or present on a skill they’re passionate about. This not only promotes development, but also fosters a collaborative Team spirit and gives individuals the chance to step into a leadership role. It also gives Leaders an opportunity to identify unique talents within the Team and figure out how to leverage them. 


  • ✅ Take Action: Create Cross-Functional Rotations

    • Develop project-based learning opportunities by working with Cross-Functional Team Leaders to create interdepartmental/division rotations. Encourage Team Members to take on small projects or responsibilities outside of their usual roles. Whether it’s a cross-departmental collaboration, a research project on emerging trends, shadowing a Technical Fellow or leading a small Team initiative, these hands-on experiences allow employees to develop new skills, gain confidence, and engage with colleagues they might not otherwise have access to. 

  • ✅ Take Action: Host Personal Development Lunch & Learns

  • ✅ Take Action: Offer Learning Credits & Training Budget

    • Offer a monthly budget for consultants and coaches or learning credits for Team Members to spend on personal development courses. Challenge Team Members to apply what they learn to their work and present new ideas or innovations during Team Meetings. Reward Team Members who participate in challenges and give credit from skill development activities during their performance reviews.


Feeling excited and motivated to incorporate these strategies into your Team’s DNA? Remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated to be impactful. With a few strategic adjustments, you can weave learning experiences into the fabric of your Team, creating an environment where professional growth is valued and celebrated. By fostering this culture, you empower your Team to continuously expand their skill sets, contribute new ideas, collaborate with others, and stay engaged. Start integrating these activities today, and watch as your Team becomes more resilient, innovative, and invested in your shared goals. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort, it can become a cornerstone of your Leadership style and Team’s DNA.

 

🎯 Ready to weave growth into your Team’s DNA? Book a discovery call with Dr. Cristi to explore tailored strategies for maximizing your Team’s potential!


Looking forward to working with you to #EngineerBetterLeaders! ✨

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