Professional development for lifelong learning

Professional development allows people to continually grow, learn, and excel in their careers. It’s about taking the time to reflect on your experiences, skills, and goals and then using that knowledge to make changes in the way you work.

Professional development can be done through reading books, taking courses or workshops, or even just talking with other people in your industry about what they’ve learned. As a leader, you can help team members identify short and long term goals and provide resources and opportunities for them to explore. See more professional development ideas.

By investing in professional development experiences, you’re setting your employees and your company up for success. At the company level, the benefits of development training include:
- Retention rates rising anywhere from 30 to 50%.
- 24% higher annual profits for companies that spend $1,500+ per year on employee development than companies that spend less.

‍On a personal level, professional development training can help your employees:
- Gain confidence and overcome imposter syndrome, as your employees are better equipped to handle career-related challenges.
- Feel fulfilled in their career, as professional development indicates a clear path to career growth.
- Better prepare for company changes, like succession planning. Your employees will have the confidence and knowledge to transition into future leadership roles!

Professional development goals are short or long-term objectives that encourage growth in your career. Examples may include: taking a course to develop leadership skills or communication skills, taking on new leadership responsibilities, or expanding your network. Setting goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) will help you breakdown and work towards larger, overarching goals.