Strategies for Continuous Professional Development

Most people are taught how to be high performers. But too few are taught how to perform in a team. And that’s a problem, because in most roles, you’re not an individual contributor. You’re part of a larger entity, working with others to build something. Yet, I see founders spend hours refining their product or systems,  But don't devote time to team development. At HomeServe, I approached team performance with purpose,  And it was one of the best decisions I made. Here are 7 tools I’ve used (and still use) to build high-performing teams,  Based on real lessons from building a £4.1bn business: 1️⃣ Start With Why (Simon Sinek) ↳ Before you focus on what or how...get clear on why. WHAT – The product you sell or the service you provide HOW – What makes you different WHY – Your deeper purpose or belief Every great team needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning. 2️⃣ The 70-20-10 Rule (McCall, Lombardo & Eichinger) ↳ How people actually learn on the job: 70% from challenging experiences 20% from coaching and mentoring 10% from formal training Most teams over-invest in training, and under-invest in real development. I'm amazed at how few founders or CEOs have a coach or mentor. 3️⃣ The Trust Triangle (Frances Frei, Harvard) ↳ Trust isn’t built with perks. It’s earned in three ways: Authenticity – Are you real? Logic – Do your decisions make sense? Empathy – Do you care? Without trust, you can’t build speed or loyalty. 4️⃣ The 5 Stages of Team Development (Tuckman Model) 1. Forming – Team gets together 2. Storming – Conflicts surface 3. Norming – Ground rules form 4. Performing – Results roll in 5. Adjourning – Project ends or evolves Don't panic during ‘storming’. It’s necessary friction. 5️⃣ The Johari Window (Luft & Ingham) ↳ Self-awareness is a team sport. Open – You know, they know Hidden – You know, they don’t Blind Spot – They know, you don’t Unknown – No one knows (yet) This helps surface feedback, build confidence, and avoid surprises. 6️⃣ The Energy/Impact Matrix (Inspired by McKinsey) ↳ Map every team member’s impact vs. energy. Use it to: Make smart hiring/firing decisions Spot burnout early Retain high performers High-performing teams don’t tolerate drift. 7️⃣ The RAPID Decision-Making Model (Bain & Company) ↳ High-performing teams make fast, clear decisions. Recommend – Suggest the course of action Agree – Those who must sign off Perform – Executes the decision Input – Provides relevant facts or opinions Decide – Final decision-maker This clears up delays, dropped balls, and blame. Building a great team is about building an environment where talent can actually thrive. I go deeper into team-building in my new book. Order it today: https://lnkd.in/eRYDKXdT ♻️ Repost if you believe team performance should be built, not assumed. And for more on how I scaled teams to build a £4.1bn business, Follow me Richard Harpin.

Leaders, when was the last time you upgraded your leadership playbook? Many of you still rely on outdated strategies like: ❌ Brainstorming sessions that lead to groupthink ❌ Open-door policies that unintentionally create more distance ❌ Leadership that assumes having all the answers instead of enabling others Here are 5 leadership upgrades that drive team performance: 1️⃣ Use cognitive friction Instead of avoiding disagreements, create structured debate spaces where diverse ideas collide. Research shows this leads to better decisions and breakthrough thinking. 2️⃣ Try brainwriting instead of brainstorming Traditional brainstorming favors the loudest voices. Brainwriting ensures everyone’s ideas get heard before discussion starts, leading to 2x more creative solutions. 3️⃣ Give power to the first follower It’s not the idea but the first person who supports it that drives momentum. Encourage team members to publicly back good ideas to create a culture of shared leadership. 4️⃣ Introduce scheduled accessibility policy Saying “my door is always open” doesn’t mean people will walk in. Structured check-ins create real psychological safety. 5️⃣ Use cognitive apprenticeship High performers don’t just need assignments—they need to see how leaders think. Instead of just delegating, explain your decision-making process in real-time. Team leadership isn’t static. The best teams evolve—so should their leader's practices. Which teamwork upgrade will you try first? Drop a comment below! 👇 ___________________________________________________ 🌟 New here? Hi! I’m Susanna. I help companies create high-performing teams grounded in psychological safety. Let’s unlock your team’s full potential together!

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲? 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭. While most job seekers meticulously polish their profiles, many overlook LinkedIn's Activity Section, yet it's this hidden gem that could turbocharge your job search. Here’s how leveraging your activity can make all the difference: 📍Continuous Expertise Showcase: Engaging with posts and sharing industry-related content demonstrates your ongoing involvement and knowledge, setting you apart. LinkedIn data reveals that users who post regularly see up to six times more profile views than those who don’t. 📍Engagement Equals Visibility: The LinkedIn algorithm boosts active users. Your comments and shares expand your reach and visibility, significantly increasing your chances of being noticed by recruiters and industry leaders. 📍Establish Thought Leadership: By posting insightful analyses and commentary, you can position yourself as a thought leader. This not only attracts views but can also open doors to new career opportunities as you demonstrate deep understanding and foresight in your field. 📍Authentic Interactions Attract Real Opportunities: Interaction on LinkedIn leads to connections that are more likely to convert into job opportunities. LinkedIn is found to be 277% more effective for lead generation than Facebook and Twitter, making it a prime platform for professional networking. 📍Stay Top of Mind with Regular Updates: Active profiles are favored by LinkedIn’s algorithms, helping you stay top of mind among your connections and increasing the likelihood of appearing in recruiter searches. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙙𝙡𝙚. 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩. ----------------------------------- Follow Surya Vajpeyi for more such content💜 #LinkedInStrategy #Networking #CareerAdvancement #ProfessionalGrowth

I was excited to see McKinsey & Company share research about teams that is very much in line with the work we are doing. Team-focused transformations can lead to 30% efficiency gains in organizations that implement these strategies effectively. The tough part? Not all teams are created equal, so this approach is a bit more complex. Here are four actions leaders can take to build a network of effective teams, based on case studies of organizations. One: Identify the Highest Value Teams Start transformation by identifying high-value teams. Select teams aligned with the organization’s purpose. Empower teams through guided journeys and support from facilitators. Begin with a core group, then add teams in waves. The result: cultural shifts, improved agility, and measurable results. Two: Activate the Teams Give teams clear goals and decision-making power. Cut bureaucracy and empowered teams. Teams focused on high-value work and involved key stakeholders. The result: faster decisions, better collaboration, and continuous improvement. Three: Lift the Leaders to Support Their Teams Traditional leadership skills must evolve to inspire purpose and remove obstacles. Leaders act as connectors, share successes, and address challenges. A growth mindset helps leaders navigate new ways of working. The result: empowered teams, faster decision-making, stronger collaboration, and a scalable transformation driven by purpose-led leadership. Four: Scale this Approach to More and More Teams Share success stories to inspire enthusiasm and highlight the benefits of the transformation. Measure impact with tools like team barometers, tracking alignment, mood, trust, and teamwork levels. Scale transformation by moving from prioritized teams to a broader group of value-creating teams. The result: scalable transformation driven by a network of change agents. The result of all of these steps: significant performance improvements.

Any manager can have a high-performing team. Pick one and take action today (tips below): 1. Set a Clear Mission Average teams execute tasks. High-performing teams drive outcomes. Your team needs to know exactly: • Why their work matters • How it impacts the company • What winning looks like The mission isn't a statement. It's their North Star for daily decisions. 2. Hire Aligned Talent High performers want to work with high performers. Stop compromising on: • Work ethic • Learning appetite • Team-first mentality One mediocre hire can destroy your culture. One fantastic hire can elevate everyone. 3. Care for Your Team High performance requires high trust. Get serious about: • Understanding their personal goals • Supporting their life challenges • Being there when it matters The best performers choose teams that care. Show them that's you. 4. Give Real Support High performers need rocket fuel, not red tape. Invest in: • Spaces that raise their energy • Tools that multiply their impact • Resources that accelerate results Remove one major obstacle weekly. Watch their productivity soar. 5. Respect Autonomy High performers need freedom to excel. Start trusting them to: • Design their approach • Make key decisions • Own their outcomes Micromanagement suffocates excellence. Give them space to innovate. 6. Reward Generously High performers know their worth. Get aggressive with: • Above-market compensation • Accelerated growth tracks • Meaningful recognition Don't wait for annual reviews. Reward excellence in real-time. 7. Develop Constantly High performers crave mastery. Create opportunities for: • Skill growth • Stretch assignments • Leadership development Treat learning like a priority. Not an after-party. 8. Eliminate Problems High performers hate waste. Ruthlessly target: • Broken processes • Unnecessary meetings • System inefficiencies Every barrier you remove Multiplies their impact. The difference between good and great teams? Great teams get better every day. Pick one area. Take action today. Watch your team transform. Helpful?  ♻️ Repost to help others.  💡 Follow Dave Kline for more.

Take care of your people. And they’ll take care of your vision. Because strong teams don’t appear by chance - They’re built consciously. Through Clarity. Consistency. And Care. In conscious leadership, we don’t just develop talent. We create environments where people can thrive, grow, and lead. Here are 5 conscious practices that build strong, scalable teams: 1️⃣ Invest in Their Growth 💡 Teams that receive regular training see a 24% higher profit margin (ATD Research). ↳ Growth drives engagement, and engaged teams build momentum. ↳ Make learning a leadership priority - not a perk. Stagnation costs more than development ever will. 2️⃣ Normalize Feedback - In Both Directions 💡 Leaders who seek feedback are rated as significantly more effective.(Zenger Folkman) ↳ Conscious teams don’t wait for performance reviews to learn. ↳ Feedback isn’t critique- it’s care in motion. Great teams give, receive, and act on feedback - early and often. 3️⃣ Prioritize Their Well-being 💡 Teams with high well-being report 23% higher productivity and lower turnover (Deloitte, 2023). ↳ Your team’s energy is not infinite. Don't overwhelm your top talent. ↳ Model boundaries. Normalize recovery. Honor bandwidth. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor - it’s a barrier to impact. 4️⃣ Create Psychological Safety 💡 Google’s Project Aristotle found psychological safety is the #1 predictor of team performance. ↳ Innovation doesn't come from fear- it comes from safety. ↳ When people feel safe, they take smarter risks - and grow faster. Teams thrive when there is no fear of judgment or retaliation. 5️⃣ Lead With Purpose, Not Just Process 💡 McKinsey found employees are 5x more engaged when they see meaning in their work. ↳ When people understand the “why,” they engage more deeply with the “how.” ↳ Purpose fuels direction - and direction fuels momentum. When people connect to purpose, they don’t just comply - they commit. Train people so well they can leave. Treat them so well they choose to stay. Lead so consciously they rise - and take others with them. 🔁 Repost if you believe people-first leadership drives results that last. 🔔 Follow Bhavna Toor for more on conscious growth and leadership.

9 proven strategies for learning that I advise my students so they learn faster and remember more People who know how to learn achieve... Deeper understanding of complex topics Balance between work and personal life A competitive edge in their careers Learning is a skill. And like any skill, you can improve it with the right techniques. Here are my 9 science-backed tips to transform the way you learn: 1. Plan your study sessions 🗓️ ↳ Break tasks into smaller, focused chunks with clear goals. ↳ Dedicated, distraction-free time beats cramming every time. 2. Active recall 💡 ↳ Quiz yourself before you learn to identify gaps and spark curiosity. ↳ Then, test yourself after studying to strengthen memory and understanding. 3. Spaced repetition 📅 ↳ Review material at intervals over days or weeks. ↳ This "forget-to-learn" approach helps information stick long-term. 4. Eliminate passive learning 🚫 ↳ Highlighting and rereading feel productive, but don't work. ↳ Instead, summarize key points in your own words or test yourself. 5. Prioritize deep work 💻 🍅 ↳ Focus on one high-impact learning task at a time. ↳ Use tools like the Pomodoro technique to stay in flow. 6. Create visual aids 🖼️ ↳ Turn concepts into diagrams, mind maps, or charts. ↳ Visualizing information helps you understand and remember it more effectively. 7. Teach what you learn 🎓 ↳ Explaining a concept to someone else highlights gaps in your understanding. ↳ Use the Feynman Technique to simplify complex topics. 8. Use tools to track your progress 📊 ↳ Create a system to measure your learning, like a checklist or habit tracker. ↳ Seeing progress motivates you and ensures you stay consistent. 9. Sleep, healthy diet, and exercise matter 💤🏃♂️ ↳ Sleep, a healthy diet (cut sugar), and exercise boost focus and cognitive function. ↳ Make them part of your daily learning routine (have apples, bananas, and nuts on your desk instead of chocolate and chips) Learning isn't about studying harder; it's about studying smarter. Pick tips that work for you and learn something today. P.S. What is your favorite learning tip? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ Repost this if you found it helpful. P.S.2 Yes, I actually use a Pomodoro timer 🤓

LinkedIn, as a professional networking platform, offers a unique space for thought leadership, industry insights, and meaningful engagement. Here's a guide to developing a successful content strategy on LinkedIn: **1. Define Your Objectives: Clearly define your objectives for being on LinkedIn. Whether it's thought leadership, brand awareness, lead generation, or community building, having clear goals will shape your content strategy. **2. Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience on LinkedIn. What are their professional interests, pain points, and preferences? Tailor your content to provide value and resonate with the professionals you want to reach. **3. Establish Thought Leadership: Share your expertise and insights to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Create content that reflects your knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on relevant topics. **4. Educational Content: Provide educational content that adds value to your audience. This could include industry trends, analysis, how-to guides, and informative articles that showcase your expertise. **5. Engage with Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and participate in relevant conversations. Share your thoughts on current happenings, and leverage trending hashtags to increase the visibility of your content. **6. Visual Content: Use visually appealing content, such as infographics, slideshows, and videos, to capture attention. Visuals can enhance your message and make your posts stand out in the LinkedIn feed. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional platform, so maintaining a balance between professionalism and relatability is key. By crafting thoughtful, insightful, and engaging posts, you can establish a strong presence, build meaningful connections, and contribute meaningfully to your professional community. 🚀🔍 #LinkedInStrategy #ProfessionalNetworking #ThoughtLeadership

Most professionals I meet tell me the same thing: “I’m on LinkedIn… but I’m not getting opportunities.” The truth? LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for scrolling, it’s your career accelerator if you use it strategically. I’ve helped hundreds of professionals transform their LinkedIn presence, and here’s what actually works: 1. Profile Optimization is Non-Negotiable Your headline must show your value proposition. Your “About” section should tell your career story. Your experience should highlight achievements, not just responsibilities. And yes, add a professional photo (it increases views by 14x). 2. Content Strategy Matters Post 2–3 times per week. Share: ✔ Industry insights ✔ Career wins ✔ Lessons learned Key rule: 80% value-driven content, 20% personal branding. And don’t wait for people to engage with you—comment on their posts first. 3. Strategic Connection Building Don’t connect with everyone. Be intentional. Target professionals in your desired role or industry. Send personalized connection requests. And always follow up within 24 hours when someone accepts. 4. Engagement is Everything Spend 20 minutes a day engaging. But make it meaningful, “Great post” won’t cut it. Add thoughtful, valuable comments to conversations. Pro Tips I give my clients: → Join 3–5 relevant industry groups → Follow and engage with company pages you admire → Use LinkedIn search filters to find decision-makers → Share wins, but always include what you learned → Post during peak engagement (Tue–Thu, 8–10 AM) The winning formula? Consistency. I’ve seen careers transform in just 90 days when people follow this systematically. Remember: LinkedIn isn’t a sprint or a marathon. It’s about showing up daily and consistently adding value. P.S. If you want more updated insights, proven strategies, and step-by-step frameworks to grow your visibility.  👉 Join my Career Spotlight Group. 📌 Join here - https://lnkd.in/gB22r3_b

As a former Senior Director at L'Oréal, here's 5 of my best practices to lead high performing teams with excellence: #1: Create unity and togetherness There's nothing more demotivating than feeling like you're working in silo and disconnected with the broader team and vision. Create intentional moments to bring your team together so they understand their impact and can support each other to gain win-win outcomes. #2: Celebrate post-mortems as much as successes Managers often celebrate successes and move onto the next thing so quickly. The real value is in taking time to assess past projects of what could have been done better and what should be maintained. This also allows you and your teams to create best practices more systematically that can transcend other departments. #3: Never be above the work yourself The best way you can support your team is to show them you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and help them where they're at. It's not about micro-managing but rather showing that you can support them in their roadblocks and empower them to push through without feeling alone in that. #4: Foster a feedback culture The moment your team feels open and safe to share feedback with you, this unlocks many possibilities. You encourage them to speak up, identify opportunity areas and allow them to challenge the status quo. From here, take action on the feedback. This is one of the most effective things you can do for your team. #5: Understand what motivates your team members beyond the work Take the time to ask them questions about what gets them excited? What helps them feel empowered? What helps them feel connected at work? What makes them happy? This allows you to ensure their roles are well aligned with these factors so you continuously keep them highly satisfied and engaged in a customized way. What would you add to the list? #teammanagement #peoplemanager #leadership #leadershipdevelopment