Building a Culture of Growth at Phelps
At Phelps, we believe a strong employee development program is an important part of building a healthy workplace, not just an add-on.
That’s where Hungry to Grow comes in.
This quarterly series is focused on employee development, giving our team the chance to build new skills, strengthen existing ones, and spend time learning topics that don’t always come up in day-to-day work.
What Hungry to Grow Looks Like
Each session in our employee development program is designed to support both personal and professional growth
We focus on topics that help employees improve how they work, communicate, and approach challenges. We want these to be topics employees are interested in, so we encourage them to share ideas for future sessions, so the content stays useful and relevant.
It’s not overly formal, it’s meant to be practical, approachable, and worth people’s time.
Designed for Real Participation
One of the things that makes Hungry to Grow successful is how accessible it is.
These sessions are held quarterly and open to all employees, with the option of attending either in person or virtually. Typically, 10-20 team members participate, creating an environment that’s interactive, comfortable, and easy to engage in.
It’s not about sitting through a presentation, it’s about being part of the conversation.
A Session That Stuck
One session that stood out focused on conflict styles.
The feedback was clear: many participants hadn’t realized how different approaches to conflict can be, or how their own style comes across to others. That awareness alone made the training valuable.
Several participants shared that what they learned would help them handle future situations more effectively, which is exactly the kind of takeaway we’re aiming for.
Strengthening Skills and Culture
These employee development programs go beyond professional development; they help reinforce the kind of culture we want to build.
By creating space for learning, we’re setting the expectation that growth is ongoing. No matter what your role or experience level is, there’s always an opportunity to improve, learn something new, or see things from a different perspective.
When individuals grow, the entire team benefits.
Why It Matters
Investing in employee development isn’t just good for individuals, it’s essential for building a strong, adaptable company.
Hungry to Grow helps us:
- Encourage continuous improvement
- Build stronger communication across teams
- Support personal and professional development
- Create a more engaged, motivated workforce
It’s a simple idea with a meaningful impact.
