Why the Best Professional Development can Just be Getting to Know your Colleagues

Fair Trade Committee Members at NatureSweet raise their hands to vote 

What if the Best Professional Development is just Getting to Know your Colleagues?

Authored by Ma Lourdes Espinoza, Director of Producer Services and Field Advisor at Fair Trade USA 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned working with farming communities is that building community is not separate from their work, it is an essential part of it. For many workers and producers, human connection is a priority, even during the most demanding times of the season. 

Over time, I’ve come to understand that some of the most meaningful professional growth doesn’t come from formal trainings or structured learning. It comes from taking the time to truly get to know the people around us. 

Throughout my years working with Fair Trade USA, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this firsthand, seeing people sharing the benefits that come from investing in Community Development Funds. I’ve seen improvements in schools, the construction of houses that become homes, and projects that transform daily life. But beyond the outcomes, what stands out most are the relationships that make these changes possible. 

One of the experiences that most shaped my commitment to Fair Trade was during a visit to a small cocoa-producing community in the Dominican Republic. Through the use of Fair Trade Community Development Funds, the community had implemented a project that allowed families to access water directly in their homes. What once required daily trips to the nearest river—often time-consuming and physically demanding—was no longer necessary. 

Community Connections

This project was possible because of the connections that farmers had with one another. They were able to meet the needs of the greater community because of how deeply they knew and understood their colleagues and neighbors. These crucial, future-changing connections stem from casual conversations over a coffee or lunch break, a walk to work, or a carpool to pick up kids from school. When we prioritize these moments with our colleagues we can unlock opportunity to make real, lasting change. 

This is where the idea of professional development takes on a different meaning. Growth doesn’t only come from technical knowledge or formal training, it comes from connection. It comes from listening, from being present, and from learning directly from others’ experiences. 

This applies not only in the field, but also in our own work environments. Whether we work from an office, from home, or in the field, taking the time to get to know our colleagues’ perspectives, their ways of working, and their experiences, can transform how we collaborate. It helps us make better decisions, work more efficiently, and ensure that diverse voices are reflected in what we do. 

In many ways, the strongest teams, like the strongest communities, are built on trust, shared experiences, and genuine connection. 

Some of the most meaningful professional growth I’ve experienced has come from simply taking the time to connect. When we truly get to know others, we learn in ways no training can replace. 

How the Fair Trade Team Stays Connected 

At Fair Trade USA, our team is remote, but we still find plenty of ways to get to know each other and stay connected. You can often find our team digitally coffee-chatting with colleagues they don’t normally collaborate with, discussing life outside of work, and bringing together shared workflows to maximize cross-functional projects and organizational impact. The nature of our work requires both connection and understanding and is strengthened by a broad range of experiences and perspectives.

One of the ways that we maintain this connection is by creating and upholding strong relationships with producers on Fair Trade Certified farms, factories, and fisheries.  

Cathy Lai, a member of the People & Culture team shares: “Our mission-driven work grounds us, but it’s the simple, everyday interactions that strengthen our relationships across the distance.” 

When we get to know our community, we are able to see the real impact of our work, understand how to best improve, and learn from diverse perspectives around the globe.