1. Clearly communicate the strategy, direction of the organization
In order to ensure an employee’s career goals are aligned with the company’s goals, the company needs to be open about its strategy and future directions.
If the company plans on pursuing new opportunities which would make some skill sets obsolete, employees should know this up front and decide for themselves if it is time to move on or if they want to be on the forefront of developing new skills to help explore new opportunities. Employees can’t be in charge of their career and make good career decisions if they don’t understand where the organization is going.
2. Helping to learn about new opportunities within the organization
Many employees find it easier to leave their current organization to get new experiences and build their portfolio of skills than to take a new role in a different function within the current organization. In fact, it is common for managers to horde good talent for their own personal needs than to look at what is best for the individual and the organization.
Senior management can help change this behavior by encouraging and facilitating internal transfers. Some organizations even help employees’ broker relationships with people in other functions/divisions to help them explore new opportunities within the organization.
If employees value growth and learning, then we must find new ways for them to learn the business within the organization. Moving to different functions can help build a breadth of knowledge of the organization that will help individuals build leadership skills. Managers need to get better at looking beyond their own group for growth opportunities for their direct reports.
3. Proactively manage opportunities for high-potential