Cultivating a culture of personal development can supercharge performance

We all want success. You started a business because you had a dream. Maybe you wanted to change the world. Maybe you wanted to fulfil a childhood ambition. Or maybe you just want to make parents proud. Whatever that reason may be, you started a venture that was, yes, risky and scary at times. But a safe journey wasn’t an option anyway, we know. To achieve the fulfilment of the dream though, you need a team with you. You need to surround yourself with the best people in the field. You need people who know more than you, are better than you. Because in today’s world, competition is fiercer. You are not anymore competing against locals. The game has become global. It has, therefore, become necessary to never stop innovating.

To ensure you cultivate a culture of innovation, that value must start from within. And what we mean by that is it must start from the heart of what runs the organisation, its people. So, we’re counting down the reasons for you to cultivate a culture that priorities personal development in your team. Here we go:

Growth culture

This is probably the most important reason for promoting a company culture that priorities personal development among its team. Innovative thinking, learning, and growth? These not only become a core value of the company, but they also take on a more personal meaning for each team member. These values become natural to everyone individually. And when they come together as a team, bringing these values to the table becomes effortless.

What better way to drive company culture towards a direction that ensures improvement is guaranteed every step of the way than to instil in each team member a personal emphasis on a growth mindset. Non-stop innovation is key in the 21st-century business world.

Build trust

Knowing how company leaders have a focus on a growth mindset speaks volumes to employees. It paints a compelling picture to each team member how company leaders not just talk the talk but walk their talk as well.

When leaders model operating in a growth mindset, employees know that their hearts are in the right place. It demonstrates how leaders care about putting in the effort themselves for the organisation. It shows an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

Promotes psychological safety

Growth requires trial and error. There is no growth without mistakes. And leaders who promote a culture of personal development communicate to their employees that it’s okay to fail at times.

Failure is part of learning. And when you commit yourself to improvement, you’ll see that it is a vital part of growth. It teaches us so much about the very areas we are trying to develop. It gives valuable information for refining our growth strategies. And it gives us an unparalleled insight we might never have acquired if everything went smoothly.

Improves employee experience

Emphasising a culture of personal development conveys one very important trait that leaders have. And this trait is paramount to employee satisfaction. It tells employees that leaders care about them not just as employees but as people.

Personal development brings with it a host of life skills that can be used in any area of life. They don’t bring growth that is limited to the corporate setting. Becoming a better learner, a more compassionate individual or developing a growth mindset not only makes one a good manager. It makes for a great father or sibling or friend.

Having a company culture that supports its employees holistically is immensely valuable. In today’s world where depressing stories are all over the news, it’s refreshing to hear of genuine care. Especially if it comes from people you value. And caring about employee personal growth is a heavyweight in the care department. Which brings us to the next point:

Increases retention rates

Employees who feel appreciated and cared for will naturally be much more dedicated. Work not only becomes a job to them. It takes on a more personal meaning. It becomes part of their identity. They come in, they take their morning coffee, and they sit on their desks. And they do it not as paid workers but as business partners who care about the future of the business. People who care about the brand.

The company becomes a second home. Their coworkers become family. They have leaders, not bosses. Gratitude becomes a natural part of every workday. And gratitude is one of the most powerful drivers of morale in any setting.

Prevents employee burnout

Once a culture is ingrained with gratitude, burn out naturally goes out the window. And focusing on the most fundamental aspects like gratitude and growth? This is the best way to keep employees motivated and energised to take on game-changing roles.

Employees take ownership of their work and the focus shifts on contribution rather than compensation. This kind of attitude towards work energises people. And this puts toxic stress at bay which is an enormous help in employee well-being. Stress is such a menacing problem that drastically reduces productivity and performance worldwide. And giving employees an extra buffer against the challenge of toxic stress will be such a welcome gift.

High-performance culture

Ultimately, high performance becomes natural when personal development is encouraged among a company’s people. People run the company. And they must feel that you see them not as cogs in a machine hired to give a few the most profit. People are most productive when they feel that what they are doing makes a difference. And seeing their leaders demonstrate a regard for their growth as humans give their employees a sense of meaning we all crave for.

High performance is achieved when the whole organisation is functioning optimally. Each team member’s potential is maximised. Every aspect of the organisation is optimised. And innovative thinking is a natural part of the processes. And instilling a core value of having a growth mindset in the most important aspect of any organisation, its people, ensures this is happening day in and day out.