Your writing team is struggling to develop their skills. What are you doing to help them?

The first thing is to help the team embrace a positive mindset. I just saw a short video clip today from a guru of creative writing, Julia Cameron, that nailed this point. We have a "mythology," says Cameron, that writing must be a struggle. It doesn't have to be, and the sooner you can help the team realize that, the easier it will be for them to embrace the professional development journey and take responsibility for it.

Read the feedback. Agree or disagree, it is there to provide support. Implement the feedback. Recognize that growing is a process and be open to change.

You need a clear picture of where your team is starting from before you can help. This requires an assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses, alongside the group's overall dynamics and skill level. Start with a blend of self-assessment and peer feedback. Ask each team member to reflect on their writing process, identifying areas where they feel confident and areas where they struggle. Have them share their insights with the group, inviting colleagues to offer observations and suggestions. Actively listen, ask questions, and synthesize feedback into actionable insights. Look for patterns and themes so you can offer targeted support. Individual introspection paired with collective insight will elevate your team's narrative power.

The team already have skills and all they need to develop them. Offering them a training, let them practice what they have learned and assess their skills later. Remember, everyone need to embrace positivity, self esteem and be self aware.

Share what writing projects you have in staff meetings with timelines. Use peer reviews to identify grammar, style, tone, structure and research issues. Conduct Lunch and Learn seminars to allow team to work on grammar, style, and accuracy in writing for various audiences.

There is an approach that I'm looking to employ in my work as a writing coach, and that is "write with me" sessions...where we discuss a real-life writing task, and talk through the decision-making process around audience, purpose and message...The process allows us to collaboratively create a written piece, guided by a high level of support as I model the skill I'm wanting to teach. Each time we do this together, I envision the skill and confidence of the writer learners growing...in community.

Collaboration often yields a higher quality result in less time. Try assigning your writers to work in pairs or small groups, with each person assuming a specific role or responsibility. This allows them to learn from each other's strengths and perspectives. A system of peer mentorship, where more experienced writers are paired with newer writers to offer guidance and support helps the mentee develop while giving the mentor a chance to reflect on their own practice. Encourage informal learning and knowledge-sharing by creating spaces for your team to discuss their work, share resources, and offer feedback and support. Fostering a culture of collaboration and peer learning will help you to create a more cohesive and supportive team.

Some writers will may make rapid progress, while others may need more time and support to reach their full potential. Your job is to meet each individual where they're at and provide the resources required to move forward. Create a safe and supportive environment where people feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. Writing is a vulnerable and personal craft, it's natural for creators to occasionally feel self-conscious about their work. By creating a culture of psychological safety and trust, writers will feel more confident and willing to stretch themselves creatively. Model behaviors you want to see. You set the tone and example. Prove your personal commitment to learning, growth, and excellence and your team will follow.