Investing in Employee Education
Conscious leaders continually advance their teams’ abilities and careers
As we move into a new age of business and employment, leaders are looking for ways retain talent and build strong teams. Employees are looking for their employers to provide a more holistic approach to caring for teams. That includes greater benefits, work-life balance and opportunities for growth.
One of the most important attributes of conscious leaders is that they think long term and recognize the benefits of investing in the education and development of their teams. This is especially important because as technology and skills are evolving so quickly, team members need to keep ahead of the changes.
One company that is exemplifying this conscious leadership quality is Chipotle. Back in 2016 the company announced it would offer tuition reimbursements or debt-free degrees for its employees. As part of its Cultivate Education initiative, Chipotle has provided $20 million in employee tuition assistance over the last 4 years. Chipotle is already seeing the benefits of this investment in its team. Employees who take advantage of the program have a retention rate 3.5 times higher than other employees.
Now, the program is expanding to cover more degrees such Agriculture, Culinary, and Hospitality. According to the company, “Chipotle has committed $5 million over five years to help remove barriers and enable the next generation of farmers and ranchers to succeed.”
This is long-term investment not only in its employees’ wellbeing, but the company itself. If the company wants to continue with its conscious leadership ideals of sustainable agriculture, it has to have vendors that practice such values. Who better than a current Chipotle team member to become a future vendor for its current employer?
Chipotle embodies the conscious leadership concept of thinking holistically of all stakeholders through its mission to “Cultivate a Better World” through real, responsibly-sourced food. Now, it’s expanding this mission to investing in its team and looking to their future as leaders in the food and hospitality industry.
As a conscious leader, consider the ways you can also think long term about your industry. How can you invest in its future by investing in your team? How can you ensure your team members have the opportunity to rise and pursue their dreams? We have the opportunity to make great strides towards a more prosperous future for all.
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
The way we work and build teams is rapidly changing. Leaders often feel unprepared to navigate the transition. As a conscious leadership coach, consultant and communicator, Meredith helps leaders and their teams create new ways of working and relating so they can prepare for the future by consciously co-creating it.
Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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