Workforce and talent development are a priority for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. As Dottie Gallagher, our President & CEO said when we released our 2018-2019 Annual Report to Members: “There is no denying that workforce development is truly job number one.” To that end, the Partnership offers two programs devoted to helping regional employers develop leaders: Leader Exchange and Executive Exchange. And with meetings starting again in September, now is the perfect time to get involved.
By Mike Cardus | Organizational Development Consultant, Executive Exchange Facilitator
Leadership: That process in which one person sets a purpose or direction for one or more other persons, and gets them to move along together with him or her and with each other in that direction with competence and full commitment. (Clement & Jaques. Executive Leadership 2009)
Reality Check:
You have been assigned to lead an important project, you know the team members and understand the objectives and resources. Now you are ready to have your first project team meeting.
‘Why’ is an instinctive question. Asked hundreds of times every day in organizations, and much of it is helpful. It is important to understand why a manufacturing process has failed, why a car broke down or why your fire alarm went off. It can be enlightening to see why people behave a certain way.
Purpose / Objective:
I just returned from an extensive learning exchange where the “who’s who” of Chief Learning Officer’s gathered at a state-of-the-art training facility in Toronto. The PhD’s in my life would be very happy to hear that I approached it like a study from the human capital training space, observing the learning challenges faced by organizations across the border. With a great cross section of companies represented, it provided me a perfect back drop to conduct what has apparently become my life’s work: Endless people research that has taken over even my social life. Yes, including observing behaviors (mine, none to honorable) at miniature golf. Ugg, what can I say, it’s all for the purpose of a greater good.
Continuing professional development is important for all employment levels and every size employer. It comes in many different forms, from formal seminars and workshops to independent research to learning from peers. However, no matter what form it comes in, it is essential to the success of both the employee and employer.
