March's theme is coaching and mentoring, so let's discuss why those topics are so important. Coaching and mentoring are methods that offer people direction and feedback to help them develop and meet personal or professional objectives. We chose these topics for March because across the State of Missouri, team members will be having ENGAGE conversations. These are formal, biannual meetings where team members and supervisors can have scheduled touch bases to discuss performance, goals, and feedback. The Talent Development team has many resources available to you on the ENGAGE website. There, you can find resources and other training opportunities. Don't forget, the Professional and Leadership Development Award is tied to ENGAGE, which recognizes top performers and rewards them with $1,500 to put toward professional development opportunities of their choice. Find out more on PLDA here. A recent McKinsey study found that 72% of team members report a positive work experience when leaders provide support and consultation along with challenges to help them learn and grow. ENGAGE conversations are the perfect way to have this important dialogue, and to ensure both supervisor and team member are on the same page. Make this ENGAGE season the best yet! The 2023 Learning Framework’s theme is “Fostering a Sense of Belonging through Learning.” You will find curated content each month focused on a designated outcome with ties to belonging. Each month will feature a new topic related to Quarterly Pulse Survey outcomes and features content from The Missouri Way Training Series, MO Learning, and many external resources. The Learning Framework was created to save time researching development opportunities on your own and provide common learning opportunities for all team members. Now, you have more time to focus on your day-to-day work. Use this monthly guide to help you reach your professional goals throughout the year! Don’t forget – we offer monthly live training opportunities as part of the Learning Framework. Reserve your spot today by registering here. Looking for more learning content on celebrating diverse teams? Find out more on the March page of the Learning Framework. The ENGAGE team is always here to help. If you have any questions, please email the Talent Management Help Desk at engage@oa.mo.gov or 573-526-4500.