Is There Time for Training and Development?

I recently downloaded Galliup's State of the Global Workplace 2025 Report.

It is 141 pages of insights covering the global workplace and how it aligns with employee engagement and performance. The content is fascinating to read and highlights the impact a committed and engaged workforce can have on an organization. Alternatively, it shows the effect of lacking in these areas and how it can shape a team and company.

One section in particular has stood out to me so far: managers haven't received training. For the ones who have, I'd bet the ongoing teaching and coaching has also been limited.

Why the bold claim? Because I've been there and done that.

There are a few themes you may pick up on with my posts related to topics such as these. Such as, there's never enough time, there's not enough resources, I'm not judging, or I'm not blaming you. Funny enough, I recently presented Eels' capabilities to an organization and one of my final slides had a photo of John Taffer from Bar Rescue and the Pillsbury Doughboy. I included a caption that said 'I'm not him or him' with arrows pointing to each. That's because I don't consider it my role to tell you everything you're doing wrong. Additionally, I don't play Monday morning quarterback and hindsight is always 20/20, right? What I'm getting at is I don't play those roles because even I have been in positions of authority where my team members didn't get the training they needed to succeed. And as much as I intended to mold the pupils into what I envisioned - there wasn't enough time or resources to make it happen.

I've seen much in my professional journey related to this topic. On the Small and Medium-Sized business (SMB) side, I've seen the best employee, measured by how they do the work, get promoted to team leader with no job description or follow up training. Additionally, I've seen someone promoted to manager but given no authority, in turn handcuffing them and killing their morale. Last, I've seen managers allowing a lot of bad behaviors, simply because they didn't know how to properly address them. On the bigger company side, I've seen team members get sent to a day or two, even weeklong training and come back with no follow up or ongoing teaching and coaching to really strengthen that leadership muscle. This is primarily due to time and the work getting prioritized during 1:1's above all else.

I'll give you one more. In my efforts to grow Eels I've cold called on an organization that was listed as one of the 30 worst places to work. Frankly, I was surprised they were still in business but was able to find a location close to our Farmington offices. I spoke to the manager, and she verbatim listed what I have shared above when it came to professional development - it's not happening. The reason? there's no time and when she finally does get her manager's ear it's to talk about the work because there's too much going on.

If you're in this position I'm going to give you the same advice I gave her: right now, you're here, placing my hand by my stomach. If you continue on this path the way you are, not learning new skills and evolving as a leader, next year you'll be right here, placing my other hand right next to it. It was a big aha moment for her, and I was proud to have witnessed it.

Let's circle all the way back around. If you're a business owner, leader, or anyone who impacts team members and some of this feedback hit close to home, you should consider our Executive Coaching, First Time Manager or Tough Conversations coaching plans so we can review the areas where you're seeking improvement. Personalized, one-on-one, biweekly, one-hour calls are a small investment to impact the engagement, morale, and well-being of your team members. Let's shift some of this responsibility off your plate, give you some time back or at least remove the task from the never-ending list. Additionally, depending on your level or industry, our coaching network is coming soon to provide an even deeper level of support (more to come).

If you're in a position where you're not getting the professional development, coaching and training you want and need, reach out. Don't find yourself in the same position for even a day longer.