Top employers know how important it is to provide workers with professional development and advancement opportunities. Likewise, talented individuals want to work for companies that will help them build knowledge and skills and further their careers.
Managers and company leaders who support career advancement can help keep employee morale up while letting workers know they are valued. With that in mind, there are several strategies that managers can use to promote employee development.
These include:
- Taking a personal interest in employees’ career goals
- Promoting training and development of their employees
- Encouraging mentors and job shadowing
- Rotating employee roles
- Supporting employees’ work-life balance
- Explaining the “big picture”
- Creating a succession planning program
Taking a Personal Interest in Employees’ Career Goals
If you manage a team, you know how important it is to communicate. Interactions should include meeting in person and holding regular conference calls or video chats with employees. These discussions can allow employees to outline a potential career path with the organization, allowing them to visualize their future at the company.
Promoting Training and Development of Their Employees
Job training and continuing education can help to fuel your employees’ growth. Therefore, you should encourage your team members to pursue relevant business courses, workshops, seminars, and other events that can advance their careers.
Encouraging Mentors and Job Shadowing
Formal mentoring programs can benefit employees’ professional and personal growth. In addition to helping your workers, mentorship can provide a way for management to benefit from the fresh perspectives of employees.
Rotating Employee Roles
Rotating your employees’ roles can offer a way to change their daily routines and learn how other positions in the company mesh together to accomplish the organization’s objectives. This can also be an effective way to build rapport and increase cross-departmental collaboration.
Supporting Employees’ Work-Life Balance
While managers want their employees to work hard and commit to accomplishing goals, keeping work-life balance in mind is also essential. Therefore, encouraging workers to take time for their families and other outside interests can allow them to recharge.
Explaining the “Big Picture”
Managers should regularly remind employees of their unique contributions to the organization’s mission. This includes reminding them of how their day-to-day actions make a big difference. Doing so can also increase motivation and morale.
Creating a Succession Planning Program
Succession planning demonstrates to high-potential employees that you want them to succeed and grow with the company. In addition, if workers know that they have their manager’s support, they are more likely to achieve their career goals. In addition, incorporating succession planning can also position your company to be more competitive in the overall marketplace.
Does Your Company Help Employees Advance?
Helping employees advance shows that your company cares about their careers and intends to keep workers on board for the long term. If your business does not have an employee development and advancement program, you could work with a specialist in this area to create one unique to your organization.
