As you define your development areas, keep in mind that achieving growth in these key areas will help you become a more productive, empathetic and cooperative member of your team. In turn, this can help your organization grow by attracting and keeping top talent.
Over the years, different professionals and researchers have defined the term “development” with a variety of emphases. For example, Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen defined the “capability approach” to development as a tool that enables people to reach their full potential through granting freedom of action (economic, social and family) and by enhancing their abilities.
Another way to view development is through economic growth, measured by GDP or gross domestic product per capita. This is the primary measure used to rate a country’s level of development by the United Nations. Other measures include literacy rates, life expectancy and the provision of public services.
A related concept is human scale development, which calls for a fundamental shift in the way that development is accomplished. This involves respecting the basic needs of the people, their collectivity and the history of the region in which they live. It also requires an awareness of the role that the state should play in facilitating the direct participation and decision making of the people in the development process.
In the past, developers relied on a top-down model to achieve their goals. This often involved bringing in outside consultants, such as market analysts and engineers to address project design; legal representatives to handle contracts and government approvals; surveyors and title companies to provide legal descriptions of property; and financial institutions to secure financing. However, this type of development is a costly and inefficient model.