Career / Work · Advice & Questions · Oct 17

I can send only one colleague on a course. Do I choose readiness or need?

Career / Work

My manager gave me one place on a two-day course and said I should nominate someone from my team. I wish she’d also given me the reason we’re sending them.

One colleague already handles most of our supplier negotiations. She’s keen to go and would use the material immediately. Another has asked to start taking those conversations on, but still shadows me when a meeting gets difficult. The course could be a useful opening for him.

The experienced colleague helped hold the team together during a busy month. Picking the newer person could look as though reliable work earns more work while development goes elsewhere. Picking her could keep the same person getting every chance.

Both know a place is available. Neither has been promised it.

What would you decide first: who would get the most out of the course, or what the team needs afterward? How would you explain the choice to the person who doesn’t go?

Discussion

3 community replies

@maren17

Before choosing a person, ask your manager what the place is meant to achieve. Is the goal better handling of current negotiations, another person able to share them, or recognition of someone’s contribution? Each purpose points to a different discussion. You’ve been given authority to nominate, but the team shouldn’t have to guess the criterion afterward.

@northstar88

The experienced colleague’s contribution deserves acknowledgment whether she attends or not. I’d avoid using the course as the only available thank-you. If you choose the newer colleague to broaden capacity, explain that reason and separately discuss what development the experienced colleague wants next. She might value something this particular course doesn’t cover.

@softfocus

What does the course assume participants already know? The outline could help you judge whether the newer colleague would get a useful entry point or spend two days without enough context. Enthusiasm and need matter, but they don’t tell you whether this specific course fits. I’d ask both colleagues what they hope to bring back.

I can send only one colleague on a course. Do I choose readiness or need?

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