How Do I Identify Development Needs?

"I think you'd benefit from some personal development."

"We need to develop ourselves as an organisation."

You've probably all heard at least one of these, or, if you haven't, you're likely to have had occasional thoughts - probably around the 1st of January! - about 'self-improvement' or 'personal development'.

But how do you know what you need to develop or improve about yourself, your team, or your organisation?

Well, what is guaranteed to make you absolutely furious?
What is the recurring focus of your bad dreams and Monday-morning blues?

That's your brain telling you, in its unique, sideways way, what you need to work on.

If you get furious about the fact that your team never seem to do anything they're asked, and, to all appearances, just sit there in between project check-ins twiddling their thumbs - your development needs are motivational communication, resilience, and adaptability. (Yes, your team likely have development needs, too - but they'll be different, both for the team as a whole, and for the individuals within it.)

If you dread opening up your Outlook calendar every morning, your development needs include drawing boundaries, delegation, and time management.

If you get anxious about asking for help and support, your self-improvement needs are likely to include practical skills, alongside communication skills and assertiveness training.

There are as many rages, frustrations, anxiety-inducers and tear-jerkers as there are ways to develop and improve past them - drop The Productive Pessimist an email at theproductivepessimist@yahoo.com to book a support and partnering session - these are £50 per hour, or £350 a day, and can be offered in person in Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Beccles, Norwich, Dereham, King's Lynn, Swaffham, or Watton, and remotely across the UK.

Current availability:
Wednesday 15th Nov: 4.30pm-5.30pm, 6pm-7pm (or 4.30pm-6.30pm as one booking, remote only)
Thursday 16th Nov: 11am-8pm (hourly or daily booking)
Friday 17th Nov: 1pm-6pm
Saturday 18th Nov: 11am-2pm (hourly or block booking)
Monday 20th Nov: 7.30-8.30am (remote only), 2pm-6pm (remote only)

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