With employees changing roles and industries more frequently, HR teams need fresh tricks to retain their best talent. One impactful approach is to prioritise professional development goals. Providing development opportunities to allow employees to enhance and hone their skills creates a friendly and welcoming work environment.
Moreover, getting scopes to improve themselves not only helps employees improve significantly but also helps them understand their areas of strength and weakness. It also develops a sense of belonging among employees and being heard by team members, seniors, and their workplace.
What Is Employee Development?
To begin with, employee development refers to honing skills that help improve employee performance in the workplace. Areas of improvement can include leadership skills, personal traits, leadership abilities, communication skills, and technical proficiencies. Moreover, it is required for personal and professional growth. Now, you might wonder if employee skills and development are the same! Let us dive deeper.
Are Employee Skills And Development The Same?
No. They are not the same. Skills are qualities and values that enable employees to thrive in any workplace and work well with others. On the other hand, development fosters employee growth by developing new skills and improving old ones.
What Is The Importance Of Employee Development?
The importance of working on areas of development for an employee are:
- Better performance in their current role.
- Advancing in their career.
- Being flexible and taking more responsibility.
- Achieving performance goals.
- Building team morale and work ethics.
- Encourages employees to provide higher-quality work.
In Boots Job Application, candidates can highlight their interests in career benefits, including examples of areas of development for employees like leadership and customer service training.
12 Key Areas Of Development For Employees (How, Tips, & Examples)
Here is a list of development areas for employees. These 12 key employee development skills are required in all sectors of work. Moreover, they also help in the personal development of the employees.
Teamwork
This key area of development for employee examples means employees collaborating to complete tasks efficiently, sharing responsibilities, and supporting one another.
How It Helps
Employees gain problem-solving skills and feel supported, while the company benefits from faster task completion and improved workplace morale.
Tips To Achieve
- Encourage open communication.
- Assign group tasks with shared goals.
- Appreciate team efforts publicly.
- Resolve conflicts calmly and fairly.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Organise a group project where employees brainstorm and present solutions to a workplace issue leading to collaboration and creative thinking.
Goal Setting
Goal setting means creating clear and specific targets that employees aim to achieve within a set time.
How It Helps
It helps employees stay focused and motivated and track their progress. Moreover, for the company, it ensures tasks are completed on time and improves overall performance.
Tips To Achieve
- Set goals that are specific and realistic.
- Break big goals into smaller steps.
- Review progress regularly.
- Celebrate when goals are achieved.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Have employees create a 30-day action plan for improving a skill or completing a project, with weekly check-ins to monitor progress.
This can help with employee development when considering Graduate Jobs vs. Apprenticeships.
Communication
Communication means sharing ideas, thoughts, or information clearly and effectively. In addition, this example of areas of development for employees can be categorised into two areas of professional development: written and verbal communication and active listening.
Written & Oral
The ability to share ideas, thoughts, or information effectively through both writing and speaking.
How It Helps
Employees can clearly express their ideas and instructions, and the company benefits from better collaboration, efficient task execution, and improved customer relations.
Tips To Achieve
- Practice speaking clearly and confidently.
- Use concise and error-free language in writing.
- Adapt tone based on the audience.
- Organise ideas before writing or speaking.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
This skill in employees can be developed by conducting a combined task where employees deliver a short presentation (verbal) and write a follow-up email summarising the key points (written).
Active Listening
The skill of fully focusing on what others say and responding thoughtfully to ensure mutual understanding.
How It Helps
It improves understanding, builds stronger relationships, and reduces errors. In addition, for the company, it fosters teamwork and ensures smoother communication.
Tips To Achieve
- Avoid interrupting the speaker.
- Ask clarifying questions.
- Summarise what you hear to confirm your understanding.
- Stay attentive and avoid distractions.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Organise a listening challenge in which employees pair up. One explains a task, and the other repeats or summarises it accurately.
Organisation
These areas of development examples for employees indicate their ability to plan, prioritise, and arrange tasks and resources efficiently to meet goals and deadlines.
How It Helps
Employees can better manage their workload, reduce stress, and meet deadlines. Thus, leading to better productivity, smoother operations, and timely company results.
Tips To Achieve
- Use to-do lists or task management tools.
- Set clear priorities and deadlines.
- Keep workspaces tidy and organised.
- Review and adjust plans as needed.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Have employees plan a mock event, including timelines, task delegation, and resource allocation, to practice prioritising and managing details.
Refer to the Aldi Cover Letter Example to see how to highlight your skills in employee development.
Conflict Resolution
The skill of addressing and resolving disagreements or misunderstandings respectfully and effectively.
How It Helps
It helps employees build better relationships, reduces workplace stress, and prevents disruptions. In addition, for the company, it creates a harmonious work environment and improves teamwork.
Tips To Achieve
- Stay calm and listen to all perspectives.
- Focus on the issue, not personal differences.
- Find a solution that benefits everyone.
- Involve a neutral third party if needed.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Organise a role-play where employees understand and practice resolving a common workplace conflict, such as disagreements over project responsibilities.
Presentation Skills
The ability to clearly and confidently convey ideas or information to an audience using verbal and visual tools.
How It Helps
It boosts employees’ confidence, helps them share ideas effectively, and improves persuasion. In addition, for the company, it enhances client communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
Tips To Achieve
- Practice speaking at a steadily and fluently.
- Use visuals like slides to support your points.
- Engage the audience with eye contact and questions.
- Prepare and rehearse thoroughly.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Ask employees to prepare a 5-minute presentation on a work-related topic, followed by feedback from peers and managers.
Productivity
The ability to complete tasks efficiently and maintaining quality, often by managing time and resources well.
How It Helps
Employees can finish their work faster and with less stress, leading to higher output, better performance, and reduced company costs.
Tips To Achieve
- Prioritise tasks based on importance.
- Break large tasks into smaller steps.
- Avoid multitasking; focus on one task at a time.
- Take regular breaks to stay refreshed.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Have employees set daily goals and track their progress, then review the results in a weekly meeting to identify areas for improvement.
Taking Decision
The ability to make informed choices by evaluating options and considering the consequences of each.
How It Helps
Employees become more confident in their choices, leading to quicker problem-solving. Moreover, making the right decisions at the right time improves efficiency and reduces errors for the company.
Tips To Achieve
- Gather all necessary information before deciding.
- Consider both short-term and long-term effects.
- Weigh the pros & cons of each option.
- Trust your judgment, but seek advice if needed.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Present employees with a scenario involving a difficult decision, such as managing a project delay, and ask them to choose a solution. Then, a group discussion will be followed to evaluate the best approach.
Leadership
Leadership involves guiding, motivating, and supporting others in achieving common goals while maintaining a positive and productive environment.
How It Helps
Employees develop confidence and trust, feeling inspired to reach their full potential. Strong leadership improves team performance, drives innovation, and fosters a positive work culture for the company.
Tips To Achieve
- Lead by example with honesty and integrity.
- Communicate clearly and listen to team members.
- Encourage and recognise team achievements.
- Be open to feedback and continuous improvement.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Assign employees leadership roles in small projects or teams, allowing them to make decisions and guide others while receiving feedback on their leadership style.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to understand and manage one’s emotions and recognise and influence the emotions of others.
How It Helps
Employees with high emotional intelligence can handle work load, tension, work well with others, and resolve conflicts efficiently. For the company, it leads to better teamwork, improved communication, and a supportive work environment.
Tips To Achieve
- Practice self-awareness by recognising your emotions in different situations.
- Develop empathy by listening to others’ feelings.
- Stay calm and composed during stressful situations.
- Build strong relationships through positive interactions.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Hold group discussions where employees share their feelings about a specific work situation and practice responding with empathy and understanding.
Taking Feedback
Taking feedback means listening to constructive criticism or praise from others and using it to improve performance and grow professionally.
In a Waitrose Job Application, capacity to welcome feedback of all sorts as a skill can have a positive effect.
How It Helps
Employees can enhance their skills, increase self-awareness, and make necessary improvements. For the company, it leads to continuous improvement, higher employee satisfaction, and better overall performance.
Tips To Achieve
- Listen carefully without interrupting.
- Ask for clarification if needed.
- Keep an open mind and avoid taking it personally.
- Take action based on the feedback received.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Encourage employees to take part in regular feedback sessions, where they discuss areas for improvement and set growth goals based on the feedback they receive.
Creativity
Creativity is thinking outside the box, generating new ideas, and finding innovative solutions to problems.
How It Helps
Creative employees bring fresh perspectives, effective problem-solving skills, and innovation. In addition, this leads to better production and process, which gives a competitive edge to the company’s market.
Tips To Achieve
- Encourage brainstorming and idea-sharing.
- Take time for reflection and experimentation.
- Embrace challenges and try new approaches.
- Create a safe space for learning from mistakes.
Example Of An Activity To Develop The Skill
Host a “creative thinking” workshop where employees solve a workplace problem using unconventional methods or new tools.
Which Areas Of Development At Work Should Be Developed First?
Employee development programs should have a chronological approach. The key areas of employee development should be prioritised, keeping in mind the following:
- Primarily, employees must identify their strengths and weaknesses before taking part in development activities.
- Second, talking to other employees and managers can provide employees with helpful information on different areas they need to work on.
- Third, every employee must concentrate on their job role and enhance key skills to improve their work performance.
- Fourth, employees can make a list of key skills. Personal development knows no bounds. Employees can learn skills one by one from the list of development areas.
- However, it is crucial to start small with easy steps. Improvement for employees only comes from continuously practising and learning.
What Are The Impacts Of Development On Workplace Performance?
Investing in developing employees most certainly has a positive impact on the organisation. Moreover, with improved skills, employees perform better in their workplace. Skilled and knowledgeable employees form the backbone of any organisation and prove to be assets. Therefore, when companies invest in development areas for employees, they gain loyal workers who consider the company as their own and work diligently for the overall success of the company. Hence, it is essential for companies not to worry about investing in key development areas for employees but instead the cost of not investing in them.
However, if you are looking forward to joining a workforce where they have a strong employee development program but are unsure of your Resume, you can get help from professional CV writing services.
Training Methods To Improve Key Employee Development Areas
Various training methods help increase the growth and development of employees. Employees are encouraged to communicate, creating a less stressful work environment.
Training & Workshops In-Person
This approach includes a traditional classroom with a blended approach that provides online learning, in-person lectures, videos, and practical exercises. Moreover, this technique can keep employees engaged and guarantees career development.
Coaching & Mentoring
Another traditional method involves pairing an employee with another senior colleague or assigned coach, providing scope for both employees to communicate personally or professionally and improve areas of weakness.
Learning At Work
Training or learning on the job helps employees develop their skills during regular working hours in their workspace. This method helps employees stay under the supervision of a more experienced teammate or members. This learning development is only possible while working and observing others.
Cross Training
In cross-training, employees must learn to perform tasks outside their usual roles for more well-rounded and versatile development and growth. This approach also involves pairing two employees. Employees benefit by gaining deep company and product knowledge.
Feedback & Reviews
In this method, managers meet with employees at least once a year to share the skills and knowledge employees need to perform more effectively. They discuss employee progress and performance as well as encourage continuous learning and development.
Peer Learning
Peer learning induces communication among employees. In this method, employees with various expertise assemble and share knowledge. For instance, GE has developed an approach to employee development called the “GE Store,” which gives employees opportunities to exchange ideas online.
Micro-Learning
Microlearning, or the mobile learning approach, gives employees the freedom to learn at their own pace. Employees can access the materials on the mobile app whenever they want, keeping employees focused and promoting continuous development on the go.
E-Learning
This training and development strategy involves using web apps, LMSs, and software. They can be customised for employees to improve focus and work performance through learning activities delivered virtually via learning digital experiences.
Instructors
In this approach, companies invest in their employees to develop skills by hiring an instructor who attends to and trains many employees simultaneously. This creates opportunities for employees to discuss their strengths and areas for improvement fearlessly.
Development Programs
Development programs or leadership development programs are ways to help employees to become successful leaders. However, this employee development process is a long-term program where employees gain learning experiences, practical experience, and regular evaluation.
Example Of LMS For Employee Development And It's Use
Five examples of Learning Management Systems (LMS) for employee development that companies use are:
360Learning
Facilitates collaborative learning and compliance training, enhancing skill development through user-generated content.
Docebo
AI-driven platform that personalises corporate training automates management tasks, and tracks learner progress effectively.
TalentLMS
Offers intuitive course management for onboarding and continuous professional development, supporting various learning styles.
iSpring Learn
Smoothens employee onboarding and upskilling with interactive training modules tailored to individual needs.
WorkRamp
Enhances employee engagement through personalised learning paths, tracking progress, and compliance management.
When writing a CV for Part-Time Jobs in the UK, you must include any employee development courses you have taken to show your skills and experience.
Conclusion
To summarise, identifying key areas of development for employees and working on them will benefit both the company and the employees in the long run. Moreover, nurturing talent and skills makes a healthy workplace. Thus, companies must encourage and motivate employees to practice and keep developing their skills to attain maximum success in their professional lives as they take the organisation to its epitome of glory.
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