We often hear that talent is an organization’s most important asset, so it would stand to reason that it should be the highest priority for a CEO.

When properly involved in their staff’s professional development, CEOs can help build connections, provide a competitive advantage to their associations, and better align their employees with the organization’s strategic goals.

Build Connections With Staff

Engaging in employee professional development is a great way for CEOs to stay connected to staff who don’t report to them directly, or with whom they don’t interact regularly. It shows that they are interested not only in the health and progress of the association, but also in the professional health and progress of employees.

This is especially true if the CEO attends professional development with staff. I have been on both the CEO side and the employee side of that equation. I was able to attend a conference on digital transformations with my CEO and a few other future leaders and managers. He spent time with us as a group, both attending sessions and eating meals. Opportunities like that early in my career enhanced my loyalty to the organization and opened my mind to increased responsibility and ways to advance my career. As a CEO, I have made it a point to attend similar conferences with my own team, making sure to both attend sessions and have planned social time, such as dinner or lunch together.

To help with this, CEOs must set the tone that the organization values learning for staff at all levels. Doing so allows for consistent messaging and access to opportunities across the organization.

Boost an Organization’s Competitive Advantage

Staff that is consistently evolving and improving can give an association a significant competitive advantage. To help with this, CEOs must set the tone that the organization values learning for staff at all levels. Doing so allows for consistent messaging and access to opportunities across the organization. Once CEOs set the tone, HR and supervisors can reaffirm that message.

As part of this, CEOs should review professional development goals of all employees and work to create opportunities for group learning. CEOs should also check in with their senior leadership team to make sure they are prioritizing the professional development of their employees.

Get Employees Engaged Deeper in the Strategic Plan

Along with promoting the culture of learning, it’s vital for the CEO to champion the organization’s strategic plan. What better way to engage and excite employees about the strategic plan than to tie it to their ongoing learning and professional development? During every employee’s annual performance evaluation, work with them to develop professional development goals that will help them better execute on the organization’s strategic plan. This will give employees a deeper understanding and connection to the strategic plan in a way that not only enhances their own careers but also allows them to see how their own learning aligns with the organization’s goals.

Ultimately, there are both personal and organizational rewards for CEOs taking interest in their staff’s professional development. On a personal level, watching them grow can be incredibly rewarding. I know it has enhanced my own work. But it also builds an organization that’s dedicated to constant learning and better aligned with its strategic mission.