Inspired by some comments from Roy Winkler, Diane Korzeniewski wonders if
mandating a core set of classes would be an effective way to enhance
personal development. She would clearly like to try it.
I would like to suggest a shift in emphasis. Instead of mandating
classes, mandate behaviors. If, for example, the organization believes in
teams, that has powerful implications for how team members will interact.
The organization can and should spell that out, and make it clear that
this is the value structure. Once that is stated explicitly, periodic
feedback to team members regarding their behavior, combined with the offer
of regular classes to help learn skils, will cause the desired effect.
Either the person will learn the skills, or they should leave the team.
If this route is taken, the classes will be accepted as a tool to help
people meet required standards. People will learn what the classes teach
because there will be higher motivation. It will be essential for the
team -- or management -- to take a stand and describe the values. The
classes will be more valuable, because they will be taken primarily by
those who need them the most, and they will not be taken by those who do
not need them.
Follow-through with the non-performers will be essential, however, this
does not mean they should be forced to take the classes. They need to
choose for themselves what is importat to them, but they also need to
understand the consequences.
-- Rol Fessenden LL Bean 76234.3636@compuserve.com