When an employee feels that they’re stuck in place, they’re more likely to become disengaged and look for opportunities elsewhere. In Rescuing Stranded Careers: A Roadmap for Leaders to Drive Employee Growth, the third part in Right Management’s 2024 State of Careers report, we reveal how leaders can provide actionable goals and advice for employees looking for career growth opportunities.
Providing a Roadmap for Employee Growth
Even if you as a leader believe that you’ve provided employees with a clear path for career growth, our research says otherwise. For State of Careers, our team polled more than 1,000 employees and 400 leaders in the United States and Canada. What we found is that employees feel less confident when it comes to career planning.
Having well-defined career plans empowers employees to seek growth and development opportunities. Respondents who have a path in place are more likely to seek out training opportunities (57%) and internal growth opportunities (44%). This means that establishing a career roadmap can be key to engagement and retention.
When an employee seeks career advice, they’re more likely to turn to their direct manager (57%) than even someone in their family (33%). That’s why it’s critical for leadership to have the right answers—and questions—ready to go.
These five questions can help you shape a career management strategy that empowers your workforce and strengthens your organization:
- Where should employees receive advice?
- Who is qualified to provide reliable and accurate guidance?
- What should this guidance include?
- How are leaders being supported, and do they have the coaching skills necessary to meet employee needs?
- What existing career supports are currently available to employees (e.g., career paths, internal roles, mentoring opportunities)?
But there’s a step beyond even providing career advice. Coaching from qualified professionals ensures that your employees can formulate a career plan that works for them. By pairing your strongest performers with professionals who can help them advance, you show your willingness to invest in their success.
Explore Our State of Careers & Career Coaching
Rescuing Stranded Careers: A Roadmap for Leaders to Drive Employee Growth, part of our 2024 State of Careers report, is available as a free download on our website. If you’re looking to follow up and help your employees establish achievable goals for career growth, our coaching & development resources can help you drive success and engagement. Contact us to learn more.