Sitting Next To Nellie

There's an old saying in the world of people development, that originated in the manufacturing industry.
'Sitting next to Nellie' was, and still is, seen by many as the most effective way of training or upskilling,as the cool kids say, someone new to a role.
The idea was, one would sit alongside the most experienced member of the team (take a bow Nellie) and simply observe. After a couple of weeks of watching and mimicking, they were ready to join the production line.

Now, the world in which we live and work is far more complicated. And yet, many people still make the assumption that a little Nellie-watching is an appropriate way to develop other people's talents. Identifying and preparing the next generation of leaders involves much more than passive observation and a little mimicry.
So make sure your business is embracing the most effective ways to bring people on, through practical experience, well-structured training and effective feedback.
Because no-one wants to be stuck in a business full of old Nellies.