Employees increasingly want meaningful careers with plenty of opportunities and to talk to their leaders regularly but many employers are shying away from enabling career conversations, suggests research into career and leadership development trends.
Talent transformation provider, GP Strategies, surveyed more than 2,000 workers globally, including people leaders. The report, 2023 Career Perspectives: A Study in Paradox, says younger employees are speaking up more about what they want, which includes fulfilling a desire for interesting and meaningful work, and compensation. They also want frequent talks with leaders, and for their leaders to tell them if they see a good fit in the organisation for their talents and interests. They want to talk about what’s next while remaining engaged in current work, “But are leaders listening?” asks the report.
The study calls on employers to hold leaders accountable, ensuring people leaders engage individuals in meaningful career conversations. It also urges them to ensure they communicate values, establish a fair, clear and consistent performance review process and invest in support, making training, workshops, coaching and mentorship opportunities broadly available. It recommends they create equitable and transparent access, clearly providing and communicating new opportunities and chances for growth.
Some 44% of employees said it’s very likely they’d take advantage of professional development opportunities offered by employers, 30% likely and 23% somewhat likely.
Lisa Fagan-Joseph, GP Strategies vice president for leadership development, said, “Our client partners have told us consistently over the last several months that employee development is critically important in 2023. As we focus on issues like weathering economic conditions, cultivating innovation and driving business growth, one need applies everywhere: we have to show our employees they’re valued and supported … with our organization.”
The report identifies four key paradoxes: people are more engaged in their current job when talking about their future, values and strengths are important in their current job and financial reward important for their next job, employees want to be asked what they want often and to be told what the organisation wants, and employees’ current priorities prevent them from prioritising their development.
- Read the full report: https://bit.ly/3JzbtmF