The Holistic Impact of Personal & Professional Growth
In part four of my Q12 survey series, Gallup’s employee engagement tool, we’ll look at one of my favorite topics, personal and professional growth. It’s something I’ve written about previously if you’d like to dive deeper. According to Gallup, when employees focus on their professional development, they are six times more engaged and 12 times more productive. Now imagine the impact productive, engaged, and happy employees can have on an organization. Not only would you see higher retention rates, but happy employees also help create a healthy workplace culture and even improve the bottom line. So how do you assess the success of an organization’s commitment to an employee’s development? Let’s take a look.
As you explore the questions of the survey, pose the questions to yourself and answer using absolutely, somewhat, and not at all. When you find yourself answering with anything below absolutely, it’s time for you to re-evaluate and assess what you can do to change that answer.
The topic of personal and professional development is one that I’m passionate about because they’re so intertwined. Growth in our personal life often influences our development in our professional lives and vice versa, so while we can evaluate and assess them separately, it’s the magic of their connectedness that leads to personal insights and strides in growth across the board.
Feeling seen at work comes in many forms, and one is a focus on your personal development. Whether it’s traditional forms of measurement like engagement and performance or, my personal favorite, a focus on your growth within your own CliftonStrengths, it’s important to take note of and track progress.
Question #11: In the last 6 months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress in these areas
Strengths-based — What areas do I excel in?
Engagement-focused — Where am I leaning in?
Performance-oriented — How am I doing?
A large part of feeling engaged in our work is being interested and excited by it. Stagnation can lead to workplace boredom that doesn’t position us for continued growth and learning. Here are some workplace support structures that can help foster your development.
Question #12: I have had opportunities to grow and learn at work
Continuous — Encouraged continuous learning
Expanding — Short-term stretch
Aspirational — Individualized, career-oriented development
A commitment to personal and professional development starts on an individual level. Having a company culture that supports it through programs, mentoring, and other tools is wonderful, but we have to be open to the process to truly receive their benefits. What are your growth intentions? In what ways do you feel ready to lean into them, and where do you feel blocked? As a Strengths and Co-active-certified coach, I work with clients every day to support and empower them to succeed and be their best. Whatever your present needs, I’d be honored to help you on your growth journey.