Training and Development

Alma Sheren is Head of Marketing and Communications for Greenfield’s sister business, Greenacre Recruitment based in the UK.

It can be easy to assume that once you have brought on board a talented player to your team they will simply hit the ground running and carry on performing at their best and most efficient. However, it would be prudent to consider not only the differing environments and methods of implementation they have been acclimatized to previously, but also the reasons they may have left their previous role in the first place; And with a conscious wrestling of the arguments for and against investment of training vs. loss of talent to other companies once trained, it can be an unsettling judgement call.

As mentioned in our previous article Embracing New Ideas, more than 70% of high-retention-risk employees (many of whom are top performers) believe they have no other choice but to leave their organization to advance their careers (Willis Tower Watson). As well as benefits, rewards and space for innovation, training and development opportunities also rank highly on the list of reasons of those who choose to leave.

Performance Management

A 2014 a study conducted by Harvard Business Review and SAP showed 50% of high performers expect at least a monthly sit down with their managers to discuss performance and avenues for progression, however only 53% of these felt their managers delivered on their expectations. It would be wrong to assume top performers do not need tensile support and reaffirmation. Although most high performers have been found to be generally better at handling stress, time, and productivity (HR Drive), there is a clear link between regular support, opportunities for progression, and retainment. Further, clear and consistent feedback and measurement of performance is key to ensuring a high level of performance is sustained, as knowing what is and isn’t working in real time provides continuous opportunity for improvement, flexibility to adapt, and autonomy to change direction when necessary.

Adapting and Evolving with The Organization

It is also important to create a challenging yet interesting environment for top performers whilst developing opportunities to progress within it. As globalization has swept across the planet and technology has evolved at an even faster rate the ability for organizations to adapt to change and evolve quickly is crucial in achieving and maintaining success. In conjunction with this, if employees are given the tools and opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve alongside the company they are much more likely to stay within that organization. Fresh challenges, training, and development opportunities that are aligned to already existing individual strengths, builds self-assurance and increases confidence that they are good fit within the organization.

Although developing new skills and correcting perceived weaknesses can encourage a more diverse skill set and all-round performance, a study by Gallup suggests that taking advantage of an employee’s pre-existing strengths and qualities produces much better results overall.

Long Term Career Pathway

As well as looking at short term measurement of performance and developing pre-existing skills it is also hugely important to create long term pathway of progression that encourages development within the organization. According to Aon Hewitt (Engaging and Retaining Top Performers) high performers are likely to get frustrated and leave if they do not clearly see development opportunities within the company. Sitting down regularly to discuss each individual’s long-term goals, which may change as they themselves adapt to their progressive roles, not only allows you to gain healthy perspective of where their intentions lie but also allows you to shape future roles and responsibilities that align to the individual’s aspirations.

Armed with the knowledge of what motivates your top performers you can tailor benefits packages, manage and measure performance to attain maximum satisfaction from all quarters, and create a challenging and interesting environment, whilst working together to create long term pathways which fit in with both your and their objectives. Being adaptable to change will also ensure the paving stones laid down to create the pathway are fresh, smooth and easier to walk on, with the most comfortable fitting boots, provided of course by your indispensable organization.