6 Elements Every Organization Needs for a Successful Developmental Program 

6 Elements Every Organization Needs for a Successful Developmental Program 

October is National Learning & Development Month, a time to consider investing in the growth of your people, your organization, and your development initiatives.  

Do you have a developmental program already in place for your employees? When was the last time you refreshed this program? As the leaves change outside, embrace this season as an opportunity to think about the ever-evolving developmental needs within your organization and identify some of your own changes. 

6 Elements to Cultivate Your Developmental Program

1. Onboarding  

In any organization, it is crucial to help your employees understand your company culture, mission, and values. What does your company, departments, and managers expect from your employees?  

Onboarding your employees will help them understand their roles and responsibilities and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to make meaningful contributions to the success of your organization.  

Who Needs This?  

  • New Hires  
  • Employees in New Roles  

2. Training  

Employee training is critical to ensure your employees have what they need to be productive and successful in their roles. Whether your employees need to learn a new skill, grow their existing skills, or adapt to evolving technologies, employee training can be tailored to the specific developmental need.  

It’s important to remember that skill development is an ongoing process. It’s not one class and done. There will always be reasons and opportunities to enhance your employees’ skillsets.   

Who Needs This?  

  • Everyone in Your Organization 

3. Mentoring 

Mentoring is a process through which an experienced and knowledgeable individual, known as a mentor, provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced person, known as a mentee.   

Mentors typically share their expertise, provide feedback, offer encouragement, and serve as role models for their mentees. They help mentees set goals, overcome challenges, and navigate their career or personal paths more effectively.  Both the Mentor and the Mentee learn and grow through the Mentoring Relationship. 

Who Needs This?  

  • Newly Promoted Managers 
  • New Company Leaders 
  • HiPo Managers 
  • New Employees or Employees in New Roles 

4. Coaching 

From entry-level employees striving to accelerate their growth to mid-level managers navigating leadership challenges, coaching has become a versatile means to enhance skills, bolster confidence, and drive performance across the entire organization.  

This transformation underscores the realization that coaching isn’t just reserved for the few; it is a powerful instrument accessible to all, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within modern workplaces. 

Who Needs This?  

  • Newly Promoted Managers 
  • New Company Leaders 
  • HiPo Managers 
  • Senior Leaders 
  • Newly Formed Teams, Poorly Performing Teams & Teams who know they can do more  

5. Special projects 

Special projects are a great way to expose your employees to other areas of the organization and to other employees. It requires some organization and planning but the benefits make it worth it. The employee doing the special project learns something new, gains a better knowledge of the organization, connects with other employees and important work is completed. It’s overall engaging for the employee and productive for the organization. 

Who Needs This? 

  • HiPo Employees 
  • HiPo Managers 

6. Volunteering 

Volunteering allows your employees to enhance their professional skills (communication teamwork, leadership, etc), soft skills (empathy, patience, sensitivity), and in some cases, their technical skills. It also contributes to their overall personal development, boosting their self-confidence as they work towards a common goal and leave positive impacts on your communities. It also can give them a sense of purpose and contribute to their overall mindset and well-being.  

Who Needs This?  

  • Everyone in Your Organization 

Learning and development is fluid in nature. As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Many of the elements that make up a successful development program are versatile and can be applied to a wide range of developmental needs.  

That being said, having established development initiatives in place will help you apply the right solution to your unique people needs and challenges.  

As you navigate this journey of growth and development, remember that our expert team is here to guide you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, help us understand your needs, and learn how we can help.  

About the Author

Margaret Uhrich’s approach to life is a combination of “anything’s possible” and “let’s see what happens when we do this,” making her the ideal leader for the Talent Development & Coaching functions at MEA.  As a consultant and leader, her creative solutions and “can do” attitude inspire others to take action and bring about the changes they wish to see.  

 

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