Crafting pathways for employee reflection and career development

In the world of professional growth, employers face the challenge of creating opportunities that foster introspection and nurture the career development of their workforce

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on ICAEW

In a strategic move to nurture leadership qualities among its staff, Hazlewoods, the accounting and business advisory firm, initiated a transformative program. Drawing inspiration from experts and stakeholders they conceived the Inspire training programme. The results have insight and ideas all business leaders can learn from.

James Morter, partner at Hazlewoods, says: “While we’ve always had a pretty sound appraisal process, and opportunities for individuals to talk with managers and partners, to meet other people in the business and to receive mentoring, I felt that more structure and direction was needed to help people see what’s possible and to give people space to think deeply about how they can make more of a difference.”

“We started by thinking about training, coaching and other activities that might help to achieve this, and felt that important aspects should include giving people a chance to get away from the business in a relaxed, thought-provoking setting, and to spend time with peers from different areas of the business, all with a view to promoting free thinking and challenge in a supportive environment. Structure and clarity were also felt to be important, to help people develop a real sense of purpose and direction.”

Key components of Inspire

Structured over four practical off-site workshops spaced a month apart, Inspire goes beyond conventional training methodologies. It incorporates personal assessments, peer-to-peer learning, and crucial one-on-one coaching sessions. The intervals between workshops serve as pivotal moments for reflection, collaboration with peers, and dialogues with mentors.

Fostering collective brilliance

Uniting participants from diverse teams and offices, Inspire cultivates a network of shared experiences and collaborative ideation. Morter observes the profound impact of these shared experiences, fostering a sense of community. The ripple effect is evident as delegates gain clarity on their career ambitions, translating their Inspire-inspired ideas into tangible actions outside their daily roles.

Embracing Hazlewoods’ Inspire Programme refines individual leadership skills and also gifts employers with a culture of innovation, collective brilliance, and purpose-driven leadership, paving the way for enhanced productivity and long-term organisational excellence.

If you are interested in professional training for your team contact ICAEW Academy, who will talk you though your training options.