Good Employees Keep Developing

Employee Development is defined as a process where the employee, usually with the support of the employer, undertakes in training programs and procedures to enhance existing skills and to acquire new knowledge and skills.

In the competitive marketplace, employers are searching for the most talented employees. Knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced workers are "gold" to companies. It is not enough for a person to get a job, they must keep the job. Employee development is one of the most important aspects of Employeeship. 

Employee Development works best when it is a joint venture between the employer and employee. Developing employees is important for company owners and managers because they are the primary stakeholder and they know what skills and knowledge are important to the future of the organization. Employee Development is important to the employee because they are in control of their development capacity.

Some employees such as electricians and mechanics are expected to bring their own tools to the job. In a sense, all employees are expected to bring their "tools" to their job. It is important for everyone to keep adding and upgrading their tool boxes. Employee tool boxes should be filled with  hard skills and soft skills. "Hard skills" include proficiency in a specific software program, certifications in programs or skills, college degrees, industry specific skills and knowledge, or any skill that is observable and measurable. Most "soft skills" are more difficult to observe and quantify. Soft skills are usually people skills or interpersonal skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, patience, time management, teamwork, taking initiative, persuasion, leadership, etc. Soft skills are as important as hard skills, but employers usually want to see employees develop hard skills. A good employee continually develops both.

Feedback is Important!

Consider the Johari window shown below. There are areas in everyone's life, good and bad, that are known to the person and to others. These are open areas. These things can be easily observed and discussed between employer and employee. Commendations should be made on things that they are done well and improvement can be made in the other areas. 

Feedback is very important for the areas that are unknown to the employee, but are known to others. These "blind spots" are a important area for employee development. These blind spots can be good or bad, and are usually revealed during employee evaluations. While between jobs, I was working in a call center. I did not particularly like the job, but tried my best. I was approached by my supervisor who informed me that I was one of the best he had seen in dealing with customers. I did not think that I was good with customer relations and would not have know without his feedback.

APPLICATION:

What areas do you need to develop?

What knowledge or skill that you could develop would help your company be more efficient?

What skill or knowledge would my employer want me to develop?

What "soft skills" could I develop that would help me and my company?

What programs are available for my development?

What online certifications or programs could I complete to help myself and my company?

What books, podcasts, or blogs will help my employee development?

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This blog is dedicated to development topics that will make you a better employee. Join the discussion. If you have a question, leave it in the comments section below. If you have a comment, leave it in the comment section below. If you have a suggestion for a topic, leave it in the comment section below.