We are so aware of development in our personal lives.
If we get a new puppy, we understand that there will be that puppy stage where a lot of supervision is necessary if you don’t want your shoes chewed or a mess on the floor. Once the pup has the basics, training helps them walk well on a leash and come when you call.
Think of a beautiful redwood tree that lasts for literally thousands of years. It doesn’t start off as the majestic pillar that reaches toward the sky, it starts as a seed, that if given enough nutrients and water will sprout. If the sprout is not eaten by a deer and there is enough rain, it will continue to grow for thousands of years.
And if you have kids, there is an actual chart that the pediatrician uses to track the developmental milestones your child is achieving.
When it comes to business we don’t always use the same type of developmental lens.
Organizations have their own developmental trajectory. They start as an idea that is incubated until it can find footing and support. With collaboration and funding it continues to grow and evolve. The business landscape changes and organizations adapt. Sometimes that means getting smaller or modifying services and sometimes it means growing and expanding.
Each developmental stage requires different things from the humans in these organizations. A developmental mindset is key to cultivate because what an organization needs at one stage of development may be very different from what it needs at another stage.
Periodically assessing the developmental needs of your organization can inform strategic planning and assist you in effectively meeting everyone’s needs. Think about that puppy again (it's just fun to do, right?). If you expect the puppy to be perfectly trained when it arrives, you will react with frustration and disappointment to the dog’s behavior. If you understand the ups and downs of the puppy stage, you can compassionately create structures to teach the dog what it needs to know.
Helping your team understand their developmental stage is a reflective process and a great team building activity. We have been impressed at our retreats by how many ‘aha’ moments come from these discussions. You can begin this process by asking the following questions:
Where was the company when we started?
Who were we serving?
What resources did we have?
What services or products were our focus?
Where are we today?
Have the people we serve changed? If so, how?
What resources do we need?
Do our services or products meet the needs of our customers?
Where are we going?
Do we anticipate any change in the people we serve?
What resources will we need?
Do our services or products need to evolve? If so, how?
These questions bring into awareness that companies transform throughout their lifetime. They also help unify perspectives so that everyone moves forward together and can efficiently anticipate developmental challenges.
G2 Solutions loves doing this type of work with teams and we always have fun along the way. Contact us, and we will show you how we can help.
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