Talent conversations – Talent Management and how to maintain personal development in these new ways of working
As we all settle into remote ways of working, this poses a small dilemma for managers. How do you ensure your teams stay on track to meet their objectives and also maintain their focus on personal development?
Here are some tips on helping your team stay committed to their personal development plan virtually.
Why should we have talent conversations?
Talent conversations ensure that we have the right people in the right roles at the right time, and that they feel motivated to be here. It’s about preparing our teams to meet the business needs not just now, but in the future too. The talent conversation provides a structured way to engage, develop and retain, address under-performance and facilitate open, honest and constructive conversations between manager and employee.
You can find the tools you need to complete the Talent Management process on the Development Wheel here: Springboard & Talent Management
In addition, while we embrace remote working, here are some extra tips to help maintain that personal development focus:
Set clear expectations
Agree new ways of working and ensure that you all have clarity over what is being asked. Agree to block out non-contact time to enable team member to focus without the distraction of the newly increased flow of emails and messages.
Motivate your team
Feed their motivation by allocating work that naturally drive and engages them, ensuring you make best use of their talents and strengths. Maintain high interest in their work and actively support and recognise their development in this new virtual world.
Trust your team
Whilst our geographical distance to each other calls for increased communication it doesn’t mean you need to micromanage. Have confidence in your team and in the direction that you give them. Ensure you maintain open communication channels and leave the door open so they can come to you for help. Trust acts as a motivator and builds teamwork, however any breaches of this trust need to be acted upon quickly and decisively.
Best supportive
Be mindful of your team's mental health and maintain regular check ins with them. As a team this could include some downtime, where you all let off steam together, share stories or experiences and incorporate some fun.
But what about Personal Development? Be Realistic
We are now living in changed times and things are different, so the time we have scheduled for career development will have also changed. If you have suddenly found yourself with extra capacity in your day, carve some time out to work on personal development, ensuring your mandatory training is all up to date. This could be a great time to learn with fewer distractions. If you have more work than usual, adjust the time you had scheduled for your development downwards but don’t forget about it – this calls for re-prioritisation. Your study timetable may need to be adjusted; you may need to learn new things such as how to work effectively from home – this is all development and should move to the top of your list!
Buddy up
Think about synchronising your study with a colleague. Think about when you are least likely to be disturbed and when you are most in the zone for working on your development. When can your partner take responsibility for the household chores?!
Treat yourself for your achievements
This could be as simple as watching the next episode of a boxset, rather than that drink down the pub, the idea is the same!
Reward your progress by reflecting on how far you have come and praising your hard work. Even if you aren’t studying you are working through different times and are likely to be on a journey of self-discovery, which will no doubt be a bumpy road.
Remember - Rome wasn’t built in a day and you are unlikely to get everything right first time, so be kind to yourself and recognise your progress.