What does it take for employees to truly grow in the workplace? Many point to the employees themselves - the need for initiative, resourcefulness and personal drive to clarify direction, goals and action steps. Others focus on the leader and their central...
Career Matters
You May Be Surprised at What Employees Really Want
As the workplace and the workforce continue to morph, understanding what people are looking for in and from their work has taken on greater significance. When we understand interests and motivations, we’re able to offer an employee experience that generates...
Give Yourself and Others the Gift of Mentorship (This Holiday Season and All Year Long)
The talent development strategy of mentorship is getting a lot of attention these days. From books to boardrooms, everyone is trying to crack the code and tap its potential and power. Mentors have the ability to accelerate the growth of others through their generous...
Career Development: Updating the State of Employees’ Interests
In Promotions Are SO Yesterday, I introduced the idea of the Multidimensional Career and a framework that expands the definition of career development. Rather than conflating growth with the traditional upward trajectory of promotions, positions, and moves, this...
Lessons from the Barbie Movie on ‘Kengagement’ and Upskilling
I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much as I dressed in pink and headed off with the family to see Barbie last weekend. Without spoiling the plot for those of you who have yet to see it, this movie offers a surprising commentary on such things as aging, the...
No Time for Career Development? Think Again!
Career development appears at the top of many lists. Unfortunately, they tend to be lists focused on what employees desperately want but are not getting from managers. As for managers, most appreciate the value of career development and really wish they could do it...
Storytelling and the Reserved Leader
I’ve never been comfortable talking about myself. Standing up in class each fall to share how I spent my summer vacation made me squirm. College essay writing was painful. And I’ll be honest – even today as I begin a talk or workshop with a quick introduction, in the...
What Does a Career Look like in Today’s World?
You remember the Hans Christian Andersen tale about the vain emperor who is duped into wearing "specially woven" clothes that are actually nonexistent? While he parades around, his subjects remain silent, not daring to address the situation for fear of seeming stupid...
Career Success 2.0: An Evolving Definition
Many workers are beginning to recognize the need to redefine career success in new ways. With fewer promises of progression by way of promotion and with today’s fluid, highly responsive organizational structures, we can no longer evaluate career success against the...
The Multiple Intelligences Required to Facilitate Career Development Today
The career development landscape facing employees and leaders today is more complex than ever before. Flatter, delayered organizations offer fewer opportunities for promotions (or even lateral moves). Changing demographics place new pressures on the workplace with an...