What an interesting time of year. A time when learning becomes a significant focus.

Just like students returning to their classrooms, whether it’s elementary school, middle school, high school or college, August and September are typically the time when that all begins.

As the continuous learner that I am, I noticed that my options for my own professional development are all coming to me at once. I’m signed up to continue to learn more about neuroscience in the Coaches Rising “The Neuroscience of Change” which kicked off this week. I’m excited to expand my knowledge about the brain. I am certain this commitment to learning over the next four months will help me to support my clients in even more impactful ways, specifically around their desire to embrace meaningful change. I’ve also been toying with attending a local HR Conference that I’ve attended in the past – with my hesitation being that it is an in-person conference.

There are many opportunities I’d love to sign up for, however I need to be realistic and pace myself so that I can be available for the growth and development of my clients as well!

Reflecting on the time of year and what we are often accustomed to helped me to better understand the significant increase in requests for team coaching, workshops, and retreats that I’ve been receiving since early August. Organizations are investing in their talent with many professional and team development opportunities.

What is it that makes this a time of year where learning becomes a huge focus for organizations?  Is it that:

• So many companies who pivoted to remote work planned to return to the workplace in September
• Organizations realize the importance of teams and collaboration, thus they want to offer teams the opportunity to learn together and bond
• Companies want to help their employees move beyond “summer vacation mode” and jump back into focused work
• There is a desire to “rebuild” trust as there have been so many changes and so much uncertainty
• We return to our “earlier” patterns and rhythms

Whatever the reason, there is a lot of focus on supporting employees with professional development, and right now the demand is there for a team-based approach.

What is your company focusing on this fall to support, empower, and engage your employees?

Where would you personally like to focus your development?

Now is a great time to make this investment. Employees want to know their employers care about their growth and development. Investing is a win-win. Employees learn and grow, they tend to feel more engaged and appreciated, there is an opportunity to further build trust, and this sets employers up for improved results across the board.

Looking for ideas for your own or your teams’ professional development? Let’s connect.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln