Career directions
are numerous – moving upward, moving across, moving down, and moving on.
Some managers assume, and falsely so, that moving up is the only
way to challenge and motivate employees.
The truth is that not everyone wants to move up and if they did,
there would not be enough room. Whether
it is learning a new function, working on a task force or having a more
flexible schedule, there are many forms of enrichment that can interest
and challenge employees.
Organizations and
managers need to acknowledge and support the idea that successful careers
can and do follow a multitude of pathways, and don’t necessarily require
ladders to climb to be rich and rewarding experiences for employees.
The goal for companies and managers should be to create career
opportunities in a number of directions and commit resources toward
helping employees be effective performers in whatever career path they
choose.
Encourage
your employees to consider all of their career options.
There are many routes employees can take to achieve professional
and personal growth. Some options address employees’ feelings about
their personal growth while others are centered on the organization’s
needs.
