Employees are any organization’s most valuable resource, and successful firms understand this and are also cognizant of the significance of talent investment. Numerous studies show that organizations that invest in employee training and development enjoy not only a significant rise in earnings but also a high level of worker retention, which is essential for long-term company expansion.
To mark an auspicious and productive start to 2023, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) organized a two-day professional development training for in-house employees on January 4 and 5, 2023. The training was facilitated by Ms. Naila Qazi, a certified leadership and development professional.
On Day 1, the training focused on organizational leadership skills, how they evolve with time and exposure, and what role self-actualization plays in employees’ ability to utilize and improve their expertise depending upon task requirements to bear maximum outcomes for projects and the organization as a whole. The facilitator commenced the training by listening to participants’ views on leadership; she later divided them into pairs and assigned each to identify the pros and cons of different leadership styles.
Ms. Qazi gave a thorough overview of the chemical and physiological composition of the human brain and how one can improve his/her leadership skills and navigate emotions in personal and professional contexts based on cognizance and understanding of certain brain functions. “We may not know why and what we lack in certain aspects of our professional and personal lives. How we react to a situation has more to do with neurological functions than due to any other factor”, said the trainer.
On day 2 of the training, participants were asked to reflect on the previous day’s sessions and present key takeaways and how they would utilize that learning throughout the year.
Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) were one of the most specific aspects of the neurological processes that the trainer covered. She discussed why human thoughts are so predominantly negative and, more significantly, how we may learn to regulate them. Following this, the participants were asked to write down an ANT, one that they believe reinforced their negative thoughts and feelings, as well as how they could avoid that situation. It was a thorough and unique exercise that gave the participants a secure space to express themselves and get to know one another better while giving them a sense of power and control.
The last session focused on identifying key improvement areas for the organization. Participants were assigned tasks to work on their strategic plans for the next five years at the organization, which would serve as a guiding source and progress tracker for each employee.
The session concluded with Ms. Qazi explaining how the challenge of idea creation for most organizations stems from the lack of an ideation process and culture. Hence organizations must support their employees, engage and collaborate frequently, and assume ownership in their work, as it will expand their capacity for creativity and increase the morale of their employees.
