Hidden Jewels

By Thomas Davis, CRNA, MAE, Lt. Col. (ret)

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“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.”

~Ralph Nader

Wouldn’t it be great if every person you hired already possessed 100% of the skills that are needed to be successful on your team?  Perfect candidates do exist; however, searching for those hidden jewels is costly both in terms of time and money.  A better option is to look within the existing team and develop their many concealed talents.  Here are some reasons to make professional development a priority in your workplace.

• Increased Performance.  Your work environment is constantly changing as are the demands of the job.  Delivering state of the art service requires ongoing education to keep up with advances in technology as well as the knowledge base.   Just as your lawn mower blade needs sharpening every spring, peak performance of your staff is dependent upon constantly sharpening professional skills.
• Increased engagement. In a preferred workplace there is someone who cares about your professional development.   Ensuring that every person on your team has a plan to grow professionally infuses energy and loyalty while increasing engagement of the individual.
• Increased retention. You can’t afford NOT to value professional development because it is linked to employee retention.  Staff turnover carries an excessive cost both in money and morale.   When expenses related to recruiting, hiring, credentialing and onboarding are considered, it may cost 1-2 times the annual salary to replace a licensed healthcare provider.  In addition, team morale sags when a respected person departs, and the team is tasked with picking up the extra workload.

Discussing professional development with your employee at the annual performance review builds the expectation of opportunities for personal growth.  Without follow-through, the discussion becomes a forum for hypotheticals and promises, and the disappointment that follows erodes morale.  Professional development must be more than empty words at a once-a-year discussion; it must become a way of life that yields results for your team.   Here are some ideas for infusing individual growth into your team members.

• Professional meetings National and State meetings of professional groups are an excellent way to learn about innovative technology and to get updates on current research and best practice protocols.  In addition, the gathering of professional peers creates a rich environment for networking.   As the schedule permits, encourage your team members to attend.
• Online meetings and courses Computer-based learning is an inexpensive alternative to attending meetings in person.  Live, interactive webinars allow you to meet online with a group of peers, receive instruction and then have a live two-way discussion with the group.  In contrast, pre-recorded webinars are accessible 24/7 but lack the opportunity for interaction.  Many Universities offer coursed online that will lead to an advanced degree.  For those geographically tied or too busy to travel, computer learning is a viable option.   Be proactive and ensure that your team members can opt to use continuing education money to take advantage of online courses.
• Mentoring Teaming up with an experienced person who has expertise in a specific area of interest is a practical way to expand skills.   Whether your team member desires to update technical skills, practice public speaking, or improve professional writing, there is a qualified person in your organization who will help.  Use your network of colleagues to find the right mentor for your team member.
• Change jobs for a day A fun and straightforward way to add tools to a workbench is to spend a day working in a different area within the organization.  Affirm your team members by helping them expand their professional network by facilitating a job swap for a day.
• Professional social hour  Set up a social hour for others who share your professional credentials and include people from other organizations.  An informal gathering provides the opportunity to exchange information and increase your contacts.  Continue by hosting other social events at intervals throughout the year.
• Create an individual plan Don’t wait for your boss or your organization to put your future on a platter and serve it to you.  Develop your own plan to increase your knowledge, skills and connectedness with others in your profession.

Increasing the skills and knowledge base of your team members is an expenditure of time and money, and a venture into professional development that will yield a high ROI.  Professional development is economical and teaching new skills to existing team members pays for itself by providing an increase in productivity and savings from reduced staff turnover.  Your organization includes many people with talents yet to be uncovered and cultivated.  Among them is a hidden jewel who already exists on your team, ready and willing to be discovered.

Special thanks to my wife and editor, Liz Sanner Davis.

Thomas Davis is a noted leader, educator, speaker and clinical anesthetist. 

Build a preferred workplace.  Join Tom and a group of healthcare leaders for the values-based leadership webinar.  Click here for information.