Development refers to systematic efforts affecting individuals’ knowledge or skills for purposes of personal
growth or future jobs or roles
Importance: retain key employees, manage talent, reduce turnover as well as meet challenge of global and social change.
Taxonomy of Development Activities
Employment Assessment
Assessment centre to test for strengths and weaknesses
E.g. Personality assessments, benchmarks, assessment centres performance appraisals
On-the-job experiences
E.g. secondments, job rotation, job enlargement, promotions, transfers
Formal Course and Programs
E.g. executive development programs
Pro Relationships
Coaching, mentoring, or sponsoring relationships where an experienced employee is matched with a less
experienced employee to provide guidance and professional development
The most effective development strategies involve individualisation, learner control and ongoing
support.
Life-Management Theory
Three classes of behaviour (SOC) Selection- Articulation and setting of goals Optimisation- Optimisation and
use of goal-relevant means Compensation- Availability and use of compensatory means to maintain goal
attainment when previously available means are no longer available or are blocked