Professional growth benefits the organization and the people it serves.
Just as importantly, the growth can stimulate and sustain personal resilience.

The end of every semester brings with it a balance sheet of sorts.  What went well? What could have been better?

For the last 18 months, I’ve had the opportunity to work intimately with professional development (more specifically, faculty development) on my campus.  Thanks to my forward-looking dean and supportive campus president, we have slowly and steadily gained traction.  Bridges continue to be built and strengthened across our campus. Faculty have responded with questions, suggestions, actions, and support.  The journey has been a wonderful learning and professionally reaffirming experience on so many levels.  It has reminded me of how critical a coherent professional development program can be to an organization.  When organized and supported appropriately and with passion, PD creates power and vision.

Image: StuartMiles/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Back in June of this year, I wrote:

The evolution of a team or organization depends on continuous growth.  Forward looking leaders understand the importance of continuous professional development opportunities for their followers. PD should not be hit or miss—and it should never be considered a “luxury.” The leader must have a plan….and that plan must take into account the needs of the team members as well as the team itself.

 And, it takes work. Disciplined work.  Balanced work. In short, meaningful professional development requires and provides a sense of:

• Building bridges
• Collaboration
• Consistency
• Doing
• Followership
• Intentionality
• Joining the pieces of the puzzle

Video recommendation for the week:

Filmed here in Atlantic Beach, FL at sunrise.

• Leadership
• Listening
• Perseverance
• Persistence
• Humor
• Reflective practice
• Support
• Vision
• Willingness to fail
• Willingness to learn from failure
• Work

Professional growth benefits the organization and the people it serves. Just as importantly, the growth can stimulate and sustain personal resilience.

Make it a wonderful week—H.T.R.B. as needed.

Check out my website (http://www.stevepiscitelli.com/programs.html) for programming information as well as details about upcoming webinars  (http://www.stevepiscitelli.com/webinars).

Information on my newest book, Choices for College Success (3rd ed.), can be found at Pearson Education.

(c) 2014. Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.