Leaders, to Boost Engagement, Help Employees Map Their Career Journey
Talking about an employee's future improves their performance today. Here's how — and why — to make career conversations an ongoing discussion.
Career development conversations are a fundamental — yet often overlooked — aspect of effective leadership. Many managers focus their feedback exclusively on employees’ day-to-day activities, when a holistic approach to professional development is likely to get stronger and more lasting results. It turns out, talking about an employee’s future improves their performance today.
Of course leaders should still give specific direction to maintain quality and achieve business objectives, but that short-term guidance shouldn’t be the only coaching that workers get. And career conversations must go beyond asking “Where do you see yourself in five years?” during annual performance reviews. Regular coaching, designed to both improve the employee’s immediate performance and amplify their long-term skills, helps individuals become more engaged, motivated and valuable to the organization.
