Being a leader is hard, no question about it. You have the responsibility to drive growth and to make decisions that will impact not only yourself but the rest of your company and customers. This responsibility becomes even more daunting during periods of uncertainty like economic recessions or political instability.
I don’t think there is any doubt that we are in a period of uncertainty.
We’ve named it “The Growth Dilemma” and many organizations facing it today have left leaders in limbo. Yes, these are the times when hiring, firing, and training decisions can become clouded with complexity. Leaders know that hiring and training are needed for growth and laying people off is often needed to stay above water.
In uncertain times, the tendency to become overly cautious and default to inaction is common. However, it's crucial to realize that inaction is a choice in itself and often poses greater risks than calculated decision-making.
“Change is never change, when it is the logical next step.”
Change is a constant in the business world. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton aptly noted,
"The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change."
Speaking with leaders over the past year regarding training and development, a common theme has emerged. They express a strong interest in advancing their team's skills but often hesitate, citing timing issues related to organizational changes or budget constraints.
I realize training is frequently viewed as a mere expense or commodity—a mindset that delays essential development until "better times."
Fact: In business, there will always be timing issues and budget constraints when it comes to investing in training. Great companies make training a priority in all times.
To offer a different perspective, I will share a personal story. Born in Nicaragua during a tumultuous civil war in the 1980s, my family experienced severe resource scarcity (similar to a Floridian supermarket pre-hurricane). Despite these hardships, my parents always prioritized education, a privilege that was not accessible to many. This instilled in me a resolve not to wait for ideal circumstances but to seek out improvement through education and skill acquisition.
From this upbringing, I learned the invaluable lesson that personal and professional growth is the tool for adapting and achieving desired outcomes. Every investment in education or skill enhancement has returned immense value, underscoring that training is not an expense but an investment in future capabilities.
Some recent LinkedIn Learning stats:
• 90% of organizations are concerned about employee retention, and providing learning opportunities is the #1 retention strategy.
• 4 out of 5 people want to learn more about how to use AI in their profession
Training and professional development are only as valuable as we believe them to be. As a leader, it's important to invest in both your growth and your team's growth. By understanding your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your team, you can make better decisions. When you commit to being your best every day, you inspire your team to perform better and adapt quickly to any situation.
As motivational speaker Jimmy Dean once said,
"You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust the sails to reach your destination."
Similarly, investing in your team's skills helps them achieve their goals with greater confidence and efficiency, ensuring that your organization remains relevant and thrives in the competitive marketplace. Butler Street can help. Butler Street’s consultative approach, industry expertise, repeatable processes, and skills-based AI integrations are providing companies with a solution to “The Growth Dilemma.”
Ultimately, you cannot give what you do not possess. Contact us to learn more.
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