How prioritizing professional development has made a difference
We work in an industry that’s faced-paced and ever-evolving ― in fact, the challenges and rewards that are so critical to maintaining an agile and responsive organization rate high on the long list of reasons I am drawn to this field. Every day, I’m pushed to grow and learn from the people and practices that make our company the best at what we do.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, UG2 has continued to prioritize professional growth and development along with safety across the company. While other organizations defaulted to “survival mode,” we survived and even thrived as we found our footing in a supportive environment where employees embrace opportunities to build skills that benefit all.
So, how did we do it?
Here are the highlights of our continuous improvement efforts over the past 15 months:
- Bolstered communication Transparency is essential to a successful workforce – and that’s even more true in a crisis. We made sure to communicate regularly with all staff, updating them on what we knew and being candid when we didn’t yet have answers.
- Launched USafe2 Our new, comprehensive health and safety program couldn’t have come at a better time. For more information, click here.
- Promoted strategies for mindfulness, resilience and stress management Knowing these qualities would become even more critical, we added skills-building to our professional development curriculum and e-Learning opportunities.
- Provided managers with new tools Our managers faced new demands that we addressed very specifically through new curriculum offerings on Managing and Leading through a Pandemic.
- Connected team members to leaders We linked our UG2 team members to senior leadership by launching a new, internal “Learn with Leaders” program, where senior leadership shared experience, expertise, and mentoring opportunities.
- Beefed up customer service and conflict resolution skills Knowing our customers and end-users were facing immense stress and demands themselves, we added strategy training to our e-Learning and development curriculums so that we would be better positioned to offer support.
- Took all trainings virtual We transitioned every in-person training offered by our Training and Innovation Lab to a virtual platform delivering trainings on everything from HVAC Basics and Blueprint Reading to Variable Frequency Drives and Tenant Condenser Water Systems.
- Tapped best-in-class trainers We partnered with experts to deliver training on relevant topics like Microsoft Excel- Pivot Tables & VLookUps; Public Speaking & Presentation Skills; and Navigating Through Uncertainty.
- Encouraged self-directed development We launched our UG2 Development Toolkit and hosted workshops geared at helping team members to both “take the reins” when it came to their own development and to assist managers in supporting their team.
- Broadcasted webinar opportunities We researched and promoted opportunities for team members to train on topics like Authentic Leadership; Collective Intelligence: The Power of Collaboration; The Art of Listening; Fitwell, Well and LEED Certification Overview; How to Speak like a Leader; and Where is the Love? Why Leaders Shouldn’t be Afraid of the “L” Word.”
It’s an impressive list ― and we are still adding to it.
My position at UG2 reflects the organization’s founding principles that values our people and safety, always. I’m grateful for a culture that embraces best practices and continuous improvement; because of that culture, we have been able to quickly adjust, learn and readjust to this year’s unprecedented challenges.
Learn more about our health and safety record or contact us to talk about your program’s challenges ― and how we can help.