In October of 2021 I wrote a newsletter acknowledging that as logical and noble as “people development” is; it can be taxing. I wrote: “Developing people is really important, takes a lot of time and effort, can have a great ROI (return on the investment of your time), can be very rewarding, and can be very frustrating.” Other excerpts from that newsletter included:
The thoughts that follow may have actually come from some of you, but I won’t use your names as I do with others. See if you’ve been there, in those frustrating times:
“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar
“ (fill in name) I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.”
“ (fill in another name or maybe repeat the last one), You keep saying you want to be somebody. I’d like to make a suggestion. Be more specific.”
Here’s a thought for the easily discouraged: “If Plan “A” doesn’t work, remember there are 25 more letters in the alphabet. Chill”
And a very wise person (No, it wasn’t me, nor was it that Confucius guy.) said, “If at first, you don’t succeed, you might want to pass on skydiving.”
I now want to redirect your thinking. I want you to take a deep breath and challenge yourself to recommit yourself to recognizing the potential in people that has gone untapped, and undeveloped. That talent, that capacity that can give YOU back precious time to do more of what you want to do in your jobs, with your own time.
So, my grand idea…? Take an inventory of your staff, especially your longer-serviced staff. The people who know their jobs, perform their jobs at a “Good or better than Good” level. You know who they are.
Have you ever thought about “inviting” them to work with you to develop New Hires and show them the ropes? How? By appealing to their egos. By Inviting them to create a “legacy” individually. A legacy that might be remembered long after they have moved on, retired, got promoted themselves…you get the idea?
This is that part of those High Performing Team and Maslow Hierarchy of Needs pyramids that talk about Self Esteem and Being Needed. (Check it out.)
What might it sound like? “(fill in the name) I need your help.”
So, “keep the faith” and “persist”.