What is the last step in the development process?

The last step in the development process emphasizes the importance of leadership in nurturing and guiding others. When a leader observes a team member as they apply new skills, it signifies that the development journey has progressed to a stage where the learner is now ready to demonstrate their capabilities in a real-world context. This observation serves multiple purposes: it allows the leader to assess how well the individual has internalized the training, offers an opportunity for the leader to provide guidance and support, and recognizes the growth the individual has achieved.

In leadership development, having a seasoned leader watch someone else implement what they have learned is critical for reinforcing skills and validating progress. This step not only fosters an environment of accountability but also strengthens the leader-learner relationship, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. By putting the new skills into practice with the leader present, it helps ensure that the learning objectives are being met and sets the stage for ongoing development.

Other options serve important functions in the development process but do not represent the final step. For instance, setting measurable goals for growth is a fundamental part of initiating the development process, while evaluating skills typically occurs after specific training efforts. Providing feedback on performance is also a critical activity but often happens in conjunction with or after the leader has observed the performance