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Culture is ever-changing. Customer preferences and values surrounding hospitality, fashion, food, art, cannabis or any other sector of the culture space can seemingly shift at the drop of a hat — meaning those who work within those areas need to be ready to adapt just as quickly.
One way business leaders can prepare their employees for such a need is to encourage them to learn and grow as professionals. With the right growth mindset, employees will be ready to tackle whatever challenge customers throw at them. But how should leaders go about it?
Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer seven ways employers can encourage their employees to learn and grow in their careers, and discuss why it’s so important to do so for the betterment of themselves and the company.
Offer Inspiration
Whether it’s a client, colleague or employee, my primary mission is to inspire, ensuring that inspiration is not confused with admiration. Offering inspiration requires action through communication, education and being an example. Be transparent and candid about your journey and offer a hand in the form of advice, anecdotes and a seat at the table. – Cynthia Johnson, Bell + Ivy
Encourage Curiosity
Due to the ever-evolving nature of the cannabis industry, professionals know that keeping up to date is non-negotiable. From internal training to sharing news and resources, curiosity is integral to our company culture. It keeps us at the forefront of cannabis marketing and legislation news so both our clients and employees can benefit from delivering the best, most compliant work possible. – Dan Serard, Cannabis Creative Group
The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?
Allow Learning While at Work
My firm allows time for — and encourages — professional development on the clock. For a business in the fast-changing cannabis industry, continued learning is essential. However, since employees lead busier lives than ever before, it’s imperative that we provide them with the time and resources they need to learn and grow. – Evan Nison, NisonCo
Challenge Them With Fun and Creative Methods
I encourage any of our team members to continue learning through fun and creative methods that have worked for me personally — things like attending events in person, and not being afraid to get their hands or minds “dirty.” Directly meeting and seeing the inner workings of events, concerts and festivals, and having that real-world grasp, really has gone a long way for us. – Chris Bianchi, CB Entertainment
Provide Mentoring and Training
Facilitate lifelong education through mentoring, coaching and training courses. Encourage them to learn at their own speed with the help of digital resources. Knowledgeable workers are more likely to be satisfied in their jobs, more likely to contribute new ideas, more likely to stay with the company long term and more likely to provide the company with an edge in the market. – Arvin Khamseh, SOLDOUT NFTs
Supply a Platform for Growth
The happiness of our team members is our top priority. We are dedicated to not only enhancing their professional skills but also nurturing their personal development. We believe in cultivating strong leaders and contributors, fostering a culture of collaboration and support. By providing a platform for growth, we create a culture where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. – Kelley Swing, Head Case Hair Studio
Give Them Opportunities to Explore
It’s critical to give your team the space to get out of their heads, explore what is happening in other industries and understand who is driving the cultural conversation. It serves as a source of inspiration and fosters a heightened level of engagement and interest in your company initiatives, ultimately contributing to their growth and your company’s success. – Michael Klein, cannabisMD
