Personal vs. Professional Development: One and the Same

By Solomon Masala | Team Building

Apr 12

Personal_and_Proefessional_Development

Being competent in the skill set areas of one’s work is not enough to command space, build trusted alliances and guide individuals and teams into excellence.  Nor does it guarantee a fulfilling life of lasting health.  While it is true that developing our innate talents and practiced abilities increases our capacities to produce more and effectively guide others, it’s the emotional intelligence (EQ) that allows us to be truly effective. Professional development is personal development: you are who you are, wherever you are. Wherever you develop yourself (work or personal), you can apply that growth in every are of your life. 

Professional development is not merely about increasing skills sets or refining specializations.  The most effective, inspiring and celebrated professionals (and leaders!) are individuals who continue to make their personal development primary and see it as essential to their professional excellence.  These professionals know that being willing to grow and explore outside their comfort zones in many areas of their lives, enhances their ability to innovate, increases their overall potency within their chosen field, and enriches their living.  There’s research behind this.

We might say that professional development includes personal development.  Even more accurate is to say that true personal development is the wider circle that includes a professional line of development within a thriving human life.

We all know someone who is successful in business but has poor personal relationships at home, or who makes work primary (with financial success or status) at the expense of their poor health, neglected family or general lackluster.  In leadership roles, these breakdowns always (negatively) impact this person in the long run.

A functional, integrated individual, who makes personal development a priority has the ability to bring health and focus to several areas of their lives – and has significantly more endurance.  They value emotional intelligence and are well versed in emotional literacy, both at home and at work. Such a person has a rich life that is inclusive of but not dominated by their professional roles.  These professional qualities model sustainable well-being and full spectrum success.  

 Professional Development + Personal Development = Competent Leader.

This is why our high performance training brings an experiential process to the development of EQ and all critical leadership skills.  Cutting edge leaders value these competencies, and know they are prerequisites to ride through the current flux waves in the marketplace and beyond.

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About the Author

Solomon is a trainer and consultant who works with organizations and teams in a graceful, energizing, and insightful manner - transforming the individuals and the whole. Inspiring, palpable and sustainable, positive change is always a result.