Growing your people can be a key factor in growing your business.  Investing in the development of your employees not only helps them to improve their skills and knowledge, which translates to $ (revenue generating and cost saving) in the long run, it also positively impacts employee retention, engagement, and experience - a top priority for HR leaders.  Here are a few ways to do this: 

1. Provide training and development opportunities: Offer training programs to help your employees develop new skills and advance their careers.  This can include in-house training sessions, workshops, or even tuition reimbursement for outside courses. 
2. Provide opportunities for growth: Give your employees the opportunity to take on new responsibilities, engage in meaningful work, and advance their careers within the company.  It may include involvement in cross-functional projects and/or internal mobility opportunities.  This can help to keep them engaged and motivated. 
3. Encourage open communication and feedback: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback.  This not only helps them to feel valued, but it also allows you to gain new perspectives and improve your business. 
4. Encourage daily learning: Challenge your employees to learn something new every day.  This is especially critical in engaging the millennials/Gen Y and Gen Z.  It will also help to keep employees' minds sharp and open to new ideas. 
5. Invest in coaching and mentoring: One-on-one and small group interactions make a difference.  Individualized attention makes the employees feel special which increase job satisfaction, help to develop healthier relationships and open communication within the organization, and foster a collaborative workplace. 
6. Promote a learning culture: Show your employees that you encourage a development mindset.  This creates motivated, high performing teams, boosts employee engagement, and attracts and retains top talent.  

By growing your people, you'll be investing in the long-term success of your business.  Your employees will be more skilled, motivated, and engaged, which will ultimately lead to better performance and a more profit​able company.  

It's been a year of unexpected obstacles and successes, and there have been accomplishments to be proud of.  Whether you've conquered a challenging new project, or completed a difficult personal goal, it's time to celebrate the progress you've made throughout the year. 

Now is the perfect time to give yourself a pat on the back for all you've achieved and acknowledge the hard work you've poured into the various successes you've hit this year.  While it can be difficult to recognize your own achievements, it's important to be proud of your accomplishments.  Taking the time to celebrate and reflect on the successes of the year will help you stay motivated and keep the momentum going into the coming year. 

You don't have to travel down memory lane to reflect on all the great things you've done.  Small wins and milestones throughout the year also count, so don't forget all the little wins.  Maybe you tried a new recipe and it turned out great, or perhaps you finally reached your savings goal.  These accomplishments are just as important and worth acknowledging.  

On the other hand, it's also important to be kind to yourself.  Not every task went as planned, and that can be hard to confront.  That's why it's important to remember to celebrate the successes and cut yourself some slack for the disappointments.  

So take a minute to reflect on everything you've achieved this year, and be sure to give yourself a huge kudos.  Here's to you. and all of your successes!