Every new job has a learning curve – and every existing job evolves over time. Consistent learning and training help employees build their skills and ensure that your team is growing with their roles rather than remaining stagnant. To create a better work environment, organizations should uphold JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion) values, and reinforce a professional development-centric culture, it is imperative that organizations put time and effort into professional development.
The nonprofit and advocacy space is constantly changing and it’s important to be knowledgeable of current events so we can effectively change minds and inform the public about what’s right and wrong. By continuing to educate ourselves we can move one step closer to a more just world. For many organizations, professional development takes the form of a series of short pieces of training throughout the year that covers a variety of topics including anything from fundraising techniques and social media strategies to conflict resolution strategies and public speaking skills. However, it’s easy to forget the value of participating in these pieces of training if we aren’t provided with the proper tools to utilize them. In addition, it is imperative that employees of all levels be given the opportunity to learn from one another and create an inclusive work culture where all employees feel valued and respected. So how do we make this happen?
1. Professional Development Plan
A professional development plan (PDP) is a list of actionable steps for achieving your career goals. A professional development plan helps you gain specific insight into how you can reach your career aspirations, such as earning a new certification or finding a mentor who can advise you. Make sure that everyone on your team has a professional development plan to ensure that they are continually growing as a professional; this will help improve retention and make them engaged and excited about their work.
2. Create an Employee-to-Employee Learning Program
Organizations that embrace a culture of learning create an environment that encourages curiosity and knowledge sharing, which in turn leads to better business outcomes. A strong learning culture can better position your organization for future needed skill shifts and primes employees to think and act more like owners when it comes to their own development needs. One effective way to promote a learning culture is to create opportunities for people to teach others within your organization and use their experience and expertise to help grow other people within the organization. Empowering those within the organization to share their skills and knowledge also helps to increase their buy-in and improves the overall health of the organization.
3. Share Professional Development Plan with your Funders
Share organizational professional development plans and priorities with potential funders. This type of transparency can help strengthen your relationships and can be invaluable when it comes to securing funding for future initiatives. Funders will be able to see that your organization truly cares about developing its employees and will continue to support them even after grant funding has ended.
4. Create Informal Learning Opportunities In the Workplace
Promoting informal learning for employees makes career and leadership development a part of company culture. It encourages ongoing learning that can lead to a smarter, more engaged staff. It’s personally fulfilling for employees and demonstrates to them that senior management values their growth. It’s essential to set aside time throughout the year for employees to engage in informal learning opportunities such as department meetings, lunch and learns or brown bag lunches. This will help to promote open communication and create a positive work environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Empowerment and professional development will help maintain the health of the organization by improving morale. People will feel valued and in turn, they will empower others. Enabling your staff to feel free to better themselves is a great way to further the whole movement and educate the community as a whole.
By taking these steps and creating a better work environment, you will uphold JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion) values, and reinforce a professional development-centric culture, which is and will continue to be imperative as your organization continues to move into the future.