I attended a staff development workshop several years ago, and while the organization I worked for was well-intentioned, the only thing I developed was a mild case of boredom…which I’m quite certain was contagious! If our leadership was going to all the trouble of creating a workshop, and even throwing in a little appreciation by providing donuts, it should have most certainly been focused on ME and not on THEM.
There are a few elements that should be weaved into any staff development day. Planting the right seeds will help ensure that staff cultivate good followership, grow as leaders, and adjunct the organization’s culture. Any good leader worth their salt knows basic topics that are critical to staff development.... but we think about them from a slightly different perspective.
Influence: Using your Power for Good to Build an Army.
One of the greatest skills a leader can have is their ability to influence others. Influence is the key to leadership and can be used to help achieve organizational goals. As any good manager knows fellow influencers can be a huge asset to the team…and of course, also equally as destructive. Authentic authority is gained through credibility, consistency, and building relationships while working toward the common good. Influence is the most impactful when there is a true exchange between the involved parties that creates a coalition toward the cause.
Teamwork: There is No “I” in Team-but Maybe There Should Be?
This saying has always made me laugh. While the collective of a team is crucial, each individual team member will either add value or dysfunction. The question is…. which one are you? Taking time to define YOUR role on a team, and evaluate how your behavior impacts the dynamic, will ultimately help define the team’s success. Each one of us needs to take responsibility for our behavior, communication, and competency to ensure that we are performing at our best.
Attitude: A Little Thing That Makes a Big Difference-Winston Churchill
I am sure that we have all been “stuck” with a bad hire. This is different than having to train an employee on a new skill or correct a knowledge deficit. In fact, you really can’t teach good attitude. The truth is, we have very little control over how our work day will unfold, but the good news is that we have total power over our approach to that day. Take the time to reflect on each interaction and ask yourself…What went right? What went wrong? What could I have done differently? Self-assessment is difficult, but small adjustments in attitude can make a world of difference.
Leadership: Not Just for Folks with the Big Office.
When it comes to healthcare we should all consider ourselves leaders, regardless of where you land on the organizational chart. Ultimately, leaders must convince others to try something new, in light of the fact that hardly anyone likes change. In an effort to have others recognize these moments as opportunities for growth, it is imperative to really take time to explain the “why”. A good leader will keep consistency and a collaborative spirit as they influence change.
While a staff development day should be designed with the goal of imparting some knowledge that will ultimately impact your organization in a positive way…it doesn’t have to be boring…in fact, it doesn’t even have to be about your company at all! The promotion of personal growth goes above and beyond the walls of a classroom and will yield lasting benefits to both your employees AND your organization!
You cannot be the same, think the same, and act the same if you hope to be successful in a world that does not remain the same. -John Maxwell
