Building Strong Teams Means Investing In Your Employees' Development

Bryan Gillum • November 7, 2022

In this world of "need it now", employee development needs to be viewed as an investment that requires time to get the desired results.

I am so passionate about the growth and development of people. It is the cornerstone of building strong teams. I once heard someone describe employee development like a farmer planting seeds at the beginning of the season - we need to be patient and do a lot of work to see the harvest at the end of the season.

I see leaders make two huge mistakes when trying to develop employees:

Consistency / Commitment:

In my experience, companies are REALLY focused on employee development during annual reviews. After that, development planning gets put away until next year. This is like planting seeds and never watering or fertilizing them. For the best development planning, leaders need to create a plan, invest their time to the plan, remove the barriers preventing growth, and stay committed to the plan.

Time:

Every leader I talk with needs high-potential people YESTERDAY. They can't wait a day, let alone a year for someone to take on greater responsibilities and they approach development like a bomb ticking down in its final minute - it needs to happen right now! Trying to reap a harvest before the produce is ready will result in a crop that can't be used.

The best way to foster development is to:

- Give employees assignments that are slightly out of their capability and comfort zone. Growth requires some level of discomfort.

- Provide basic support. Don't hover and don't solve their problems. Be available to confirm direction and provide encouragement, then let the growth happen naturally.

- Let them fail a little. Our greatest growth and development comes from our failures. Help them fail safely and softly.

- Give them time to let concepts soak. Development often comes in the moments of reflection after the "storm".

In this world of "need it now", employee development needs to be viewed as an investment that requires time to get the desired results. Leaders need to allow the development process to happen naturally and be patient to reap the harvest! Need help creating a plan or need some "fertilizer" to foster growth? Contact me at bgillum@cmaxadvisors.com to hear how we help create an environment of growth.

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5 Signs You May Need a Recruitment Partner

By Grant Covault • March 7, 2023

In today's highly competitive job market, finding and retaining the right talent for your business is more critical than ever. In fact, according to a recent release from Monster.com, 96% of workers will be seeking some type of new position in 2023 . However, the hiring process can be challenging, and many businesses struggle to find the right candidate for the job. That's where recruitment partners come in. A recruitment partner can help you find the right talent and streamline the hiring process. In this blog, we'll discuss 5 signs that indicate you may need a third-party to help you with your hiring needs. 1. Inability to Attract Qualified Candidates If you're struggling to attract qualified candidates for your job openings, it may be time to consider partnering with a recruitment firm. A good firm can assist you in identifying the root cause of the issues and collaborate with you to create an effective hiring strategy. With their extensive network of both active and passive job seekers, they can help you find the ideal candidate for your organization. 2. Time Constraints and Limited Resources Another sign that you may need to seek out help is when you feel pressed for bandwidth, and you are unable to dedicate the necessary time to the hiring process. A recruitment partner can handle the hiring process for you, from posting job openings to screening candidates and conducting interviews. This frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business. 3. High Turnover Rates Nothing is more frustrating than making a hire only to lose that persona a short time later. Additionally, high employee turnover can be costly and affect productivity and morale. By bringing on a consultant, they can help you objectively identify why employees are leaving and find ways to improve retention. They can also help you create job descriptions that accurately reflect the role and company culture, ensuring that you attract candidates who are a good fit for your organization. 4. Lack of Industry Knowledge If you're not familiar with the job market in your industry, it can be challenging to find the right candidates for your organization. A recruitment partner has industry knowledge and can provide insights into the job market and salary trends. They can help you create competitive offers that attract top talent and ensure that you find the right candidate for the job. 5. Employer Brand Reputation Your employer brand reputation is essential to attracting top talent. If your business has a poor reputation, it can be challenging to attract the right candidates. Having the right consultant can help you improve your employer brand by providing insights into what candidates are looking for in a job and what makes a company attractive to potential employees. They can also help you create a positive candidate experience, ensuring that even candidates who don't get the job leave with a positive impression of your organization. In conclusion, hiring the right talent for your business can be challenging to do by yourself. However, with the help of the right recruitment partner, you can streamline the hiring process and find the best candidate for the job. If you're experiencing any of the signs outlined in this blog, reach out to us today for a free consultation to see if we are the right fit to help your team.