Every road trip starts with a good map.  Whether electronic or an old-fashioned paper map, good upfront planning allows for a more successful outcome (including seeing all the famed attractions) or in other words, potentially a trip of a lifetime.

So, imagine a world where your employees know exactly what they are good at, what they need to work on and what tools to ensnare on their path to self-development.  It is possible, with some upfront planning and targeted conversations throughout the year, coupled with a detailed document called a Learning Plan.  I am a strong proponent of the almighty (and highly underutilized) Learning Plan.  Learning Plans are the customized, individualized road map for your employees to ensure they are aware of what skills they need to develop AND a defined path on how to achieve those skills.

Your Learning Plan should contain a minimum of three things:

• Learning Objectives
• Strategies and Resources
• Evaluation.

Essentially ask the employee to document answers to these three questions: “What do I need to learn?”  “How am I going to learn it?” and “How will I know that I learned it?”  Allow the employee to search for resources internally and externally.  Suggest a mix of self-paced seminars, courses and learning situations to develop the identified weak skill.

For example, let’s say you have an employee that needs to develop their communication skills.  You might have an internal training session on that specific topic.  Or perhaps this employee would be better served learning and practicing communication skills with an outside resource.  Or maybe signing up for a group that meets weekly is a better fit.  Perhaps there is another employee that has honed their communication skills to perfection and could provide guidance to this employee lacking in communication skills.  Whatever the resource, let the employee figure out the best fit.  But guide the employee with resources they might not be aware of.  There is no one path to reach the desired destination; allow the available resources and best fit to define the route.

No one likes to search aimlessly for the correct exit or next tourist destination, so provide a road map so that your employees can reach skill nirvana while dealing with the day-to-day challenges of completing their job tasks.  The employee benefits from better self-esteem and higher productivity, the company benefits from employees that feel nurtured and supported and ultimately everyone reaches the intended destination in a more more effective, positive manner.