Thought for the Week - 5/19/08

If you want to build a ship, then don't drum up men to gather wood, give orders, and divide the work. Rather, teach them to yearn for the far and endless sea. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lat week we shared some initial thoughts on training and professional development. Here are a few more ...

Nothing is more important to the success of an organization than the quality or professionalism of its staff. As we suggested last week, however, all too often organizations approach professional development from an issue based or single minded perspective rather than from a comprehensive perspective. Creating a professional staff requires more than just a hiring process, or more than just a training program, creating a professional staff requires a holistic or systems approach.

Think back to your own personal experience with professional development over the years. How often did the company you worked for bring in the “Guru of the Year,” change systems or practices to support his or her approach, only to change everything around again once the new Guru came to town? How often did the company you worked for change one aspect of the professional development program without changing related aspects – only to leave employees confused and frustrated. Perhaps most common, however, how often did the company you worked for bring in a high paid consultant or trainer who seemed to know nothing about your company and whose program was misaligned, or perhaps even inconsistent with the company’s stated mission and vision?

In order for any professional development program to be truly effective, it is essential that it be directly connected and related to the outcomes or products of the organization and that it be based on a fundamental belief system that values learning throughout the organization. More specifically, in order for a Professional Development program to be truly effective: 1) it must be directly linked to the organization’s stated objectives, and 2) the organization must create, develop, embrace, and maintain an environment rooted in life-long learning. As such, organizational training and development needs to be operationalized in a Professional Development program which is sustained, systemic, and systematic:

A “sustained” professional development program is one which occurs over time. Professional development is not a single event, but a series of interrelated learning opportunities that supports individual growth and organizational success.

A “systemic” professional development program is one which plays a critical role within an organizations culture. The focus of learning opportunities remains consistent and aligned with organizational goals and does not change depending on who is responsible for professional development. In other words, professional development needs to be integrated throughout all aspects of the organization and needs to remain consistent over time.

A “systematic” professional development program is one which is developed and implemented in a methodical and intentional manner. It is directly aligned to the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the organization. Systematic professional development programs provide consistent themes across all work groups, while providing support for specific departments and individual needs.

A core component of this integration (sustained, systemic, and systematic professional development) is a clear and comprehensive leadership model. The organizations success will rely heavily on its leaders. However, as we have share numerous times before, it is important for an organization to realize that leadership is no longer exclusive to “upper administration,” but rather, all staff should be encouraged to become leaders.

How well integrated is your organization’s current professional development program?

Is it designed as a series of interrelated learning opportunities that supports individual growth and organizational success?

Is it integrated throughout all aspects of the organization and consistent over time?

Does it provide consistent themes across all work groups, while providing support for specific departments and individual needs?

Let us hear from you ...