Horizon Point Consulting

Author: Taylor Simmons

  • What Do You Need to Add to Your Professional Development Toolbox?

    What Do You Need to Add to Your Professional Development Toolbox?

    Earlier this summer, I facilitated a Zoom session with a small group of employees to gather feedback on a new training initiative. The discussion was eye-opening. While a few participants voiced concerns about the perceived bureaucracy around required training, others shared that they had already implemented some of the tools and were eager for their colleagues to experience the same growth.

    My biggest takeaway? When rolling out professional development (PD) opportunities, it’s essential to invite your team into the process. Be transparent about the “why” behind the training. Let people know it’s not just a box to check—it’s a pathway for their personal growth and a strategy to drive organizational success.

    This week, I’ll be in Mississippi speaking with educators about building a Professional Development Toolbox (follow along with all of our events here). Shortly after, I’ll head to Mobile, Alabama to kick off a PD course with another group of dedicated educators. Despite being in different locations and varied groups, the message is the same: professional development is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for organizations that want to thrive.

    Whether you’re supporting teachers, tech teams, or healthcare workers, the tools you include in your PD toolbox may differ—but the framework remains consistent:

    1. Identify what your organization needs to operate effectively and stay competitive.
    2. Align those needs with the existing or aspirational skill sets of your employees.
    3. Provide the tools, resources, and opportunities that allow people to grow—and in turn, help your organization flourish.

    As the saying goes, “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” – Henry Ford

    When professional development is done well, it’s not just about skill-building. It’s about cultivating a culture of curiosity, ownership, and continual growth.

    For ideas on how to get started, check out these previous blog posts:

    Ask us at HPC how we can help you expand your professional development toolbox!

  • From Classroom to Career: Supporting Growth at Every Stage

    From Classroom to Career: Supporting Growth at Every Stage

    This week, we kickoff a continued education course for K-12 educators focused on supporting career development growth for every grade, from classroom to career. Reflecting on content, I also thought about what supporting career development looks like for employers. In our training with educators, we try to connect student growth and learning about careers with workforce development. What do our students, employees, and our community need to thrive?

    “The best way to predict the future is to create it—through education, mentorship, and opportunity.” — Adapted from Peter Drucker

    The National Society of Leadership and Success has developed “Career Development 101: A Complete Guide to Professional Growth” which backs up our approach to lifelong learning. The guide says, “Career development helps you stand out in front of employers, compete in today’s job market, and grow within a company. The process of career development is just as important for students as it is for those currently in the workforce.”

    For students –  awareness, exploration and readiness for what follows high school is key. Those students will become tomorrow’s employees. So how can employers continue the development from classroom to career?

    3 Roles for Employers in Career Development

    Continuous Learning Opportunities

    Think tuition reimbursement and offering a budget for professional development. Check out Nourish Your Growth in 2025: Why Learning Should be on Your Agenda for ideas on learning.

    Employee Driven Pathways to Their Next Right Thing

    Grow your own leaders! Pouring into employees helps the entire organization rise. Everyone should have a “coach”  and “cheerleader” for their professional development gameplan. Check out 4 Ways to Get Unstuck with Professional Development for more ways to support employees.

    Total Rewards

    Does your rewards package support the desire to grow and do good work? How do you reward employees? Here are 5 Ideas for Retaining Talent in a Tough Labor Market.

    If you need more support for your supporting development, reach out to us at HPC. We’d love to help!

  • How to Know if I Should Leave My Job

    How to Know if I Should Leave My Job

    Finding a job can be hard — and so can leaving one. If you’re asking yourself how to know if you should leave your job, you’re not alone. It’s a big decision, and knowing when it’s the right time to make a move can be challenging.

    “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — Steve Jobs

    Working in the HR and career development field has allowed me to dive deep into this topic for over a decade. Helping someone find the right career path is always rewarding — and, believe it or not, helping someone decide whether to leave a job and take their next right step can be even more exciting.

    Making a career move can be intimidating. Concerns about salary, stepping away from a comfortable routine, and diving into the unknown are real. But being stuck in a job that no longer fits the season of life you’re in can be just as challenging — if not more so.

    If you’re wondering how to know if you should leave your job, these three key questions can help you find clarity:

    1. Why do I want to leave my job?

    • Am I burned out?
    • Do I feel unchallenged or undervalued?
    • Is the culture toxic?
    • Am I running from something — or running toward something better?

    Being honest about your motivations is the first step to making a healthy decision.

    2. What is my financial situation?

    • Can I afford a potential gap in my income?
    • Would I be willing to make less money if it meant greater fulfillment?
    • Can I support myself (and my family) if I take a pay cut?

    Financial realities are important to consider when thinking about leaving your job.

    3. What are my career goals?

    • Have I fully explored growth opportunities where I am?
    • Is it time to have a conversation with my leader about my future?
    • Will making a move help me grow, learn, or get closer to my dream role?

    Leaving your job should move you toward a future that excites you, not just away from something you dislike.

    Additional Resources

    A colleague recently shared an article with our HPC team that offers some helpful perspective: “Your Vocation is Not Cancelled” by Emily P. Freeman. It’s a great reminder that career transitions don’t have to define (or derail) your bigger purpose.

    Another resource I highly recommend is the book Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life — it’s an excellent guide for anyone wondering if it’s time to leave their job and what they should do next.

    Still wondering, “Should I leave my job?” You’re not alone. For more career advice and inspiration, search for words and phrases you’re interested in on The Point Blog — we’re here to help you navigate your next steps with confidence.

  • Nourish Your Growth in 2025: Why Learning Belongs on Your Agenda

    Nourish Your Growth in 2025: Why Learning Belongs on Your Agenda

    “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”—Zig Ziglar

    At Horizon Point, we love learning and helping others nourish their growth—both personally and professionally. Each year, our team selects professional development opportunities that align with our individual and organizational goals.

    Here are some of our favorite ways to keep learning and growing:

    Nourish Your Growth with Books

    If you’ve been around here long, you know we love a good book! In our coaching and training, we frequently incorporate book recommendations.

    ? Check out our 2024 Book of the Year and explore HPC’s Bookshelf for more inspiring reads.

    Expand Your Knowledge with Online Courses

    There are so many ways to nourish your growth with online learning! We recommend courses from credentialing agencies like SHRM and NCDA, along with our very own on-demand and customized courses.

    ? Explore our HPC Courses here.

    Nourish Your Career at Conferences & Workshops

    We love both facilitating and attending conferences and workshops—because learning is always better when shared!

    ? Want to connect with us in person? Check out What’s Up? to see where we’ll be next!

    Earn Credentials to Nourish Your Growth

    Credentials can be a game-changer for career advancement and professional growth. If you’re unsure which credential is best for you, we’re happy to help!

    One of our standout offerings is the Facilitating Career Development (FCD) course, which we’ve provided for over a decade. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) training, ideal for professionals supporting K-12 students.

    Here’s what Joulia, a recent participant, had to say about her experience:

    “What truly stood out was how well-organized the entire course was. The materials provided were top-notch, including detailed PowerPoint slide decks, an E-manual with interactive module exercises, and invaluable resources for the certification test… Everything was comprehensive and easy to follow, making the learning process smooth and efficient.” – Joulia R.

    ? Learn more about SCDA Courses here.

    More Ways to Nourish Your Growth

    Looking for more insights on learning and development? Check out these blog posts:

    Let’s Nourish Your Growth Together!

    How can we help you or your organization grow? Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and customization options!

  • Sabbatical Season & Seasons of Life

    Sabbatical Season & Seasons of Life

    I wrapped up my sabbatical last week. It was a nice change of pace for the busy season of life I’m in. I recall my sabbatical 3 years ago & realized it was a busy season too. Life is busy and messy and hard. So many people around me are struggling with something – health, grief, raising kids, aging parents. Taking a break from one of the most important parts of life (work) to focus on intentional rest was just what I needed.

    So, here is a recap of my sabbatical and this season of life, told through pictures:

    Celebrated wedding anniversary # 23 with my husband in Mentone 

    Celebrated 10 years with HPC! 

    Glamping trip with my mom & aunt and their church ladies’ group 

    Visit to see my daughter (and celebrated her admission to nursing school) 

    Senior night for my son 

    Over the past 6 weeks, I obviously spent lots of my time with the people I love. I also enjoyed plenty of walks, good food, reading & a nap or two. 

    During my last week of downtime, I attended two funerals, and both were individuals who are not that much older than me. That puts things in perspective quickly.

    Work – doing good work – is important, but it should never be our top priority. And I am so grateful to work for an organization that focuses on people and allows me and others to thrive, and rest.