By Joe Meyer, CSG Consultancy – Performance Consultant

We live in an age of easy access to what is happening in the entire world and particularly in the world of business. There is a mountain of information about how leaders are being developed and how learning organizations are leading in engagement, productivity and profit. Our people know what to expect. Are we letting them down? Are they looking to other companies for these opportunities? The answer is obvious.

We then cannot ignore our responsibility and must find a way to build leadership development into how we do things. We need to be up there with those organizations that are well known for learning and development excellence. So, let’s start asking ourselves how we are going to get to this expected and even demanded level.

 

Plan for the future

It takes time and resources and there is only so much money and other resources to budget each year, so we must think about what we need and when. What has to happen first, second and so on? What if in a given year resources are extremely tight? What alternatives do we have? Do we have a plan A, B and even C? If we put together a complete plan of objectives, actions to be taken and the results to be expected, we are well on our way to success.

Make that plan robust, “time and unforeseen circumstances befall us all”. We have to make our plan resilient to withstand the challenges and reap the benefits.

 

One size does not fit all

We need to align what is needed with what is provided. There is no point in overdoing anything, in other words, wasting time and resources. However, when development initiatives are inadequate we don’t get the results we need either.

Do a proper evaluation of what is needed and match that intervention to the proper level and size. Making sure of the fit by asking: Is it clear and interesting? Does it move people to action? Does it encourage the right behavior? What are the results both factually and anecdotally? Is there a sense of excitement about the initiative?

Be observant, objective and most importantly provide the leadership development our leaders expect.