Yearn to Learn | Leeds School of Business

Professional development dollars and support are there if you practice the art of the ask.

Image of paper that reads professional development goals.

There’s always more to learn.

Whether you want to refresh your skills with the latest technology and trends or bolster your business acumen, you can gain confidence and career mobility potential when you add professional development to your annual priorities.

So, what would you want to discover if you had the time and money to take on an exciting learning opportunity?

Leaders and managers will listen to employees who want to expand their skills and broaden their perspectives because relevant knowledge and niche skills are a win-win for you and your boss. Many organizations set aside funding for specific trainings and educational offerings with more than 75% of surveyed chief learning officers expected to stabilize or increase spending on professional development. As a result, there’s almost always a budget that leaders can tap into when their team members request meaningful development opportunities.

When you’re ready to make your case for development support and dollars, there are a few things you can do to make the ask easier for everyone:

Table of Contents

1. Get clear on what you’d like to learn.

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to adding to your professional skills. There’s everything from quick virtual lessons to longer programs through universities, deep dives into one skill or topic and more general crash courses. Take a look at what you love about your current role: are there particular skills you use every day that bring you joy? Would you be able to do them better or more efficiently if you refreshed your knowledge? Do you notice any skills gaps in your team or processes that you could help fill with additional knowledge and training? Ask yourself these questions and make notes.

2. Research opportunities that align with your ”what.”

Once you feel good about what you’d like to learn, spend some time researching opportunities that complement your goals. Look at a variety of options and formats that interest you, so you can be prepared to present a few different paths and price points when you talk to your manager. Compile your dream list in an easy-to-navigate document so you can reference it later.

3. Create an executive summary of your ask and secure your funds and support!

You understand your organization’s culture and the relationship you have with your manager better than anyone. Determine the best way to approach your ask, whether that is a quick pitch deck, formal email, agenda item in your next one-on-one or something else. No matter the approach, drafting a formal letter or executive summary will give you clarity, guide conversation and make it easier for your manager to navigate your ask.

Quick tips to include in your query:

Summarize your learning goal and how achieving it connects to your job success, team goals and organizational priorities.
Clearly identify the development opportunities you seek.
Speak to the strength of the curriculum and instructors.
Include the timing, duration, cost and delivery/format and be specific about how you’ll learn alongside work priorities.
Offer how you hope to apply knowledge to ensure mastery of concepts and make an immediate impact on your work.

The Leeds School of Business is consistently ranked among the best public business schools in the United States. Our executive education programs provide many opportunities for professional development featuring award-winning instruction and trusted insights, delivered in a format that maximizes convenience and impact for your immediate professional goals. Explore the executive education programs that might help you reach your goals.