Employee development is a term used to describe a person’s ability to alter or improve themselves in the workplace. Person development, as unique as it may appear, is a collaborative endeavour between the employee and the company for which they work. The goal of this course of action is to improve an individual’s skills, abilities, and knowledge base in order to advance them in their overall career development while always treading a fine line between the needs of the individual and the needs of the business to ensure a win-win situation for all parties involved. But here’s a question for you: if a person is successful at their current work, why would further growth of that individual be necessary?

Take a survey of the employees you come across in any workplace. Which do you think they would select if you asked them if they would prefer to work for a company that encourages people to pursue their professional objectives through continuing education courses or a company that prioritises immediate results and leaves little space for advancement? By a long shot, the first choice would triumph. Even individuals who are completely pleased in their current situation do not want to be boxed in by what is expected of them. They all want the opportunity to be there for them, whether they take it or not. Individuals that take the challenge will come out on the other side as an even bigger asset to you, which is a plus for the organisation.

It’s up to you to make the final decision. Would you rather have a group of individuals searching for their next way out or a group of people eager to conquer the next challenge placed in their way? When comparing the potential cost of employee development programmes versus the expense of hiring and training a new employee from the ground up, the prospect for promotion always wins.