This article was based on the interview with Nate Prosser, host of the Leadership Chalk Talk podcast and Head of Learning, Leadership, and Change at Wawa by Greg Kihlström for The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström podcast. Listen to the original episode here:
Development and leadership are crucial aspects of a successful organization. Let’s focus on the importance of focusing on employee development and leadership from both the brand/company perspective and the employee perspective.
From the brand/company perspective, investing in employee development helps create a team that delivers a high-quality customer experience. By providing outside customer support help that feels like it comes from the existing team, brands can ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Partner Hero, a company mentioned in the podcast, is recommended as a solution for companies looking to bring in outside customer support help.
For employees, whether in a good or bad employment market, there are challenges and opportunities to consider. In the current job market, employees should focus on finding long-term success in their careers. This requires looking beyond development programs and rotational opportunities and instead probing into the leader’s expectation of their development. Employees should ask questions about how their development is incentivized, monitored, and built into the company’s ecosystem. If development is not a part of the culture and is not supported by the leaders, employees may find themselves wishing for more opportunities.
Additionally, aspiring leaders should consider whether they genuinely want to lead and lead people. It is important to differentiate between wanting promotions, money, and status versus truly wanting to be a leader. Leadership is a different job altogether, and success as a leader requires genuine passion and fulfillment in supporting and empowering others. Aspiring leaders should be comfortable being behind the scenes and finding fulfillment in the success of their team members.
In conclusion, focusing on development and leadership is essential for both individuals and organizations. Brands that invest in employee development create a culture of loyalty, engagement, and innovation, attracting and retaining top talent. Employees benefit from the opportunity to enhance their skills, advance in their careers, and reach their full potential. Prioritizing learning and development gives brands a competitive advantage and positions them as employers of choice in the market. The potential role of AI in training and development further enhances these initiatives, offering personalized experiences and data-driven insights.
