Cultivate your people for a healthy crop
You will be familiar with the saying that ‘your people are your most important asset’. In a challenging economic climate this statement is more relevant than ever. Taking time to develop yourself, your team and your organisation will help you stay ahead of the game. If you have been cutting costs and reducing staff numbers, the chance is that you could also have been putting staff development ‘on hold’ until the climate improves. This can affect employee morale and have a de-motivating impact on business efficiency and productivity.
Developing people is similar to cultivating your garden or vegetable patch…
…strange analogy I know, but we lovingly look after the plants, water and feed them and watch the seeds grow into healthy vegetables. Cultivating people takes the same amount of care. Consider the following healthy gardener’s checklist to get you back on track to be ready to reap rewards and leap ahead of your competitors:-
- Stay calm and remember that having setbacks is normal – most people learn key messages from tough times that help them refocus and make positive changes for the future. Similar to the seeds that don’t germinate.
- Open your eyes wider to see what is happening around you as you would to check for pests on a plant – is there a member of your team who is quieter than usual, not as vocal in meetings or who appears to not be their usual self? They could need reassurance, a supportive word or help with a project.
- Listen carefully to people. We can often be in so much of a hurry that we do not really listen to issues or concerns raised by other people. Taking the time to really hear each person’s point of view can often stop issues before they get out of control, like the weeds taking over on a plot of land. Time spent early on can be really beneficial in the long term.
- Remember what has worked well for you in the past. We learn tips and advice from seasoned gardeners. In the same way your colleagues, peers and co-workers can offer wisdom and provide an alternative approach that you had not yet considered which could have a more positive effect.
- Set your sights on the goals you want to achieve and consider what would help you take the first positive steps. Like seeing a model garden design.
Think of other ways to tend your symbolic work garden. Are there extra skills you personally need to learn, a training course that would be useful for you to attend, getting some coaching, taking time out – a holiday or sabbatical to clear your mind, or even brainstorm a totally different way of doing things with your colleagues etc. You can refer to Personal Development all–in-one for Dummies for some more ideas.
Thanks to our trainer Gillian Burn for this article.
Our range of ‘motivate’ courses and workshops deal with the factors that impact engagement, motivation and well-being. They provide practical solutions to understand what motivates; how to increase motivation and engagement, deal positively with stress, maintain work-life balance, build emotional intelligence and promote well-being. Find out more…
