7 Professional Development Activities For Work

Whether you’re leading a small team or you have hundreds of employees, whether you all gather in-person at an office, are scattered across the country, or you all work remotely, one surefire way to keep your employees engaged and on a growth trajectory is to offer professional development activities on a regular basis.

Professional growth opportunities are an incredibly important part of employee retention and satisfaction. In fact, 87% of millennials place a high importance on professional development and career growth opportunities. By meeting these needs in-house, you’re signaling to your employees that they are valuable to you and their satisfaction is important to you.

But coming up with ideas for on the job coaching and employee development activities can be a cumbersome job, especially if you don’t have an entire HR department dedicated to tasks such as these. That’s why I’m sharing this list of 7 professional development activities for work that you can implement with any size team. Many of these activities I’ve participated in myself and found great value in at various points in my professional career.

Benefits of Professional Development Training

The benefits of offering professional development workshops or activities for your team extend far beyond employee retention. From building leaders from within to improving employee performance, professional development programs benefit everyone.

Career Advancement

Professional development training is key for career progression, helping employees develop new skills and knowledge they need to take on more complex roles and move forward with their intended career path. As an employer, offering in house training programs to grow your leaders from within allows you to retain your top talent rather than spending precious time and resources recruiting outside leaders.

Enhanced Job Performance

When staff members engage in training programs, they’re not just adding to their knowledge base—they’re upgrading their toolkit. This means tasks can be completed with greater precision and understanding, leading to a noticeable uptick in efficiency and quality of work. It’s like giving a hiker a better map and more reliable gear; they’re going to navigate the trail more effectively.

Acquisition of Specific Skills

Professional development is the perfect setting for gaining new knowledge and job-specific skills that have a direct impact on work quality. This can range from mastering the latest software relevant to your industry to honing in on communication techniques that improve client relations.

Functional Training

Understanding the ‘why’ behind daily tasks can significantly enhance an employee’s contribution to a company. Functional training gets into the specifics of an individual’s role, providing clarity and reinforcing the importance of their position within the organization. When employees know that the tasks you’re giving them are not just more work piled on their desk, it leads to a more engaged and informed team that can take more initiative and ownership of their responsibilities.

Networking Opportunities

The benefits of professional development aren’t confined to the office. Conferences and networking events let employees connect with peers from different sectors. This networking can lead to collaborative opportunities, fresh perspectives, and even career advancements.

Increased Engagement

Investing in employee development is a clear signal that a company values its workforce. This investment can dramatically increase engagement levels, as employees feel more connected to the company and its mission. They’re not just working for a paycheck; they’re part of a larger vision, and that’s a powerful motivator.

Specially Designated Meetings

Meetings that are crafted around learning and development serve a dual purpose. They’re not only educational but also collaborative. They can break down silos within an organization and encourage diverse teams to work together towards common goals, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork.

Boosted Morale

Never underestimate the power of strong employee morale. When employees are learning and growing, there’s a sense of momentum and progress that can lift the spirits of the entire team. It can turn a mundane job into a career journey, making each day a step toward something bigger and better.

Adaptability

In the fast-paced world we live in, adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. Continuous professional development ensures that employees can pivot when needed, embracing new technologies, strategies, and workflows to keep the company ahead of the game.

Encourages Retention

Finally, a company that provides clear avenues for professional and personal growth is a company people want to stay with. Training and development are often seen as an investment in an employee’s future, reducing the likelihood of them seeking opportunities elsewhere. It’s not just about keeping your team; it’s about growing your team together.

Fun Professional Development Activities For Your Team

Continuing education doesn’t have to be boring. If you find the right professional development activity, it can actually be a fun team-building experience. Here are some ideas for fun professional development activities you can work into your continuing education schedule.

1. In-Person Workshops and Seminars

Especially in the post-COVID world, employees are more eager than ever to find opportunities to learn and interact with other professionals in an in-person setting. Workshops and seminars provide a space where ideas can be exchanged face-to-face and concepts can be understood through direct demonstration and active participation. It’s an opportunity to step away from the daily grind and immerse yourself in a focused learning experience.

Who It Benefits: everyone, but especially those who thrive on direct interaction and hands-on learning experiences

What It’s Good For: staying up-to-date on industry knowledge and best practices, learning new skills, and networking with other professionals

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: the opportunity to get out of the office and interact with others outside of the organization

2. Online Courses and Webinars

Online courses and webinars offer your team members the opportunity to learn from experts across the globe without the expense of travel and the need for several days off from their daily responsibilities. This format is also perfect for covering a wide variety of topics at a self-guided pace, which is beneficial for people whose busy professional lives don’t allow them to take large chunks of time off work at once.

Who It Benefits: busy professionals who don’t have the time or resources for business trips or in-person events

What It’s Good For: computer based training on new programs and self-guided learning opportunities

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: the ability to work at your own pace and utilize learning modalities that best suit each individual’s learning style—text, video demonstrations, or audio recordings, for example.

3. Conferences and Networking Events

If you’re in the business of building connections, networking events and conferences for professional organizations are a great way to recruit new talent, find new clients, and build meaningful connections with professionals within your field.

Who It Benefits: leaders and team members looking to looking to build connections and stay on top of industry trends

What It’s Good For: creating professional relationships, improving interpersonal skills, talent recruitment

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: these events often involve casual components like happy hours where people can get to know one another in a relaxed, social setting

4. 1:1 Mentoring and Coaching

One on one mentoring or coaching can benefit almost anyone, from the employee who just started in their position to a mid-level manager looking to climb the ranks within the organization. Mentoring is an incredibly effective way to build successful leaders from within the company rather than seeking outside candidates.

Who It Benefits: new employees, employees looking for move up in the organization, or those who received a low score in a specific area of a performance evaluation

What It’s Good For: learning leadership skills, working on special team projects, tracking a staff member’s progress on growth goals

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: the opportunity for 1:1, uninterrupted time with a mentor who is willing to impart their knowledge and share resources tailored to the individual’s needs

5. Self-Directed Learning Activities

If you don’t have the resources to attend of hold professional development workshops for your entire team, consider offering self-directed employee development, where team members have the opportunity to choose the types of learning activities they’d prefer to focus on. Self development programs are a great way to tailor learning opportunities to the needs of the employee, whether it’s improving their management skills or learning a new software program.

Who It Benefits: self-motivated individuals who are proactive about their own professional development

What It’s Good For: improving management skills or working on a staff member’s specific growth goals

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: the flexibility to choose the professional development topic and work on something that is of personal interest

6. Soft Skills Training

Soft skills are the key to a positive workplace culture. Soft skills training is designed to enhance interpersonal skills, communication, and emotional intelligence, all of which are key components of a well-rounded employee.

Who It Benefits: everyone—soft skills are needed for anyone whose day to day responsibility includes interacting with other people

What It’s Good For: fostering a collaborative work environment, improving communication skills, and improving conflict management

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: community building and offering staff members the opportunity to get to know one another

7. Volunteer Programs

Volunteer programs extend professional development into the realm of community service. These programs allow employees to build and demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in real-world settings while contributing positively to society.

Who It Benefits: organizations whose core values include giving back in the community

What It’s Good For: enhancing a company’s social responsibility profile and providing real-world opportunities for the organization to contribute to the community

What Makes It Fun and Engaging: another opportunity to get out of the office and away from day-to-day responsibilities while helping others and contributing to the community

Don’t Forget About Leadership Development For Yourself

As you’re exploring professional development ideas for your team, don’t overlook the person leading the climb—you. Leadership development is an integral part of organization development. It ensures that the knowledge gained isn’t just disseminated through the ranks but is also embodied at the top.

Even if you’re well-established in your current position, there’s always room to grow. The landscape of business is constantly shifting, and so are the skills needed to lead effectively. Engaging in leadership development activities can provide fresh insights into your management style, help you harness new industry trends, and ultimately, ensure that your organization remains at the cutting edge.

Professional Development Ideas For Yourself

Here are some professional development ideas you might consider for your own development that go beyond the usual seminars and workshops:

• Peer Advisory Groups: Joining a group of fellow leaders can provide you with a confidential environment to discuss challenges and strategies, offering a blend of personal support and professional development. My 40 Day Leadership Challenge where you can interact and engage with other leaders who share your goals is a great example of this.
• Industry Certification Programs: Obtaining industry-recognized certifications not only boosts your credentials but also keeps you updated on best practices and standards in your field. Whether it’s through university courses or online professional development platforms, gaining industry-specific certifications can position you as an authority figure in your field.
• Book Clubs: Starting or joining a book club focused on professional or personal development topics (like Breakproof, my new book on building resilience and achieving your goals) can be a great way to learn new concepts and discuss ideas with peers.
• Coaching Certification: If you have a knack for guiding others like I do, becoming a certified coach can enhance your ability to develop your team and improve your leadership skills. This one was a no-brainer for me, and one of the best choices I’ve made in my professional career.
• Cross-Training: Look for professional development opportunities that allow you to cross-train within your own organization. This can deepen your understanding of the company and improve collaboration across departments.
• Thought Leadership: Engage in writing articles or speaking at events about your expertise. It can establish your authority in the industry and open up new learning avenues.

Invest in Your People By Investing in Professional Development Activities

Investing in professional development activities is more than just an operational line item; it’s a direct investment in the heart and soul of your business—your people. When you empower your team with opportunities to learn and grow, you’re not only enhancing their skill set, you’re also boosting morale, fostering loyalty, and building a culture of continuous improvement. It’s about showing your team that their development is valued and that their career trajectory matters to the organization.