How can you make your direct reports feel like you support their growth trajectory when it comes to their career?
Sort by:
You have to be authentic and demonstrative in your support. Ask the questions - what are their dreams? interests? next steps? goals? Then help them get there. And, when they do, walk the talk and write those letters of recommendations, serve as their reference, even when their next steps might be away from you. That is how you help in their growth trajectory the most. Word of warning: For the best and brightest you might hear of their next step goals and try to create that environment for them with you - recognize that's so rarely best for them and almost always best for you. Been there, done that. Support THEIR goals, not simply your own.
Training plans and all that aside, one of the most important things you can do, IMHO, is *be willing to let go* - realize you're best and brightest are only going to be with you for a short period of time - perhaps shorter than you'd like - but by being genuinely happy for them when they find new and better opportunities you foster a culture of growth that reflects back on you and your organization. Pretty soon the best and brightest are coming to you for opportunities on their way up the ladder. That's a win for everyone.
By spending time listening to them.
By aligning company goals with career paths
By starting to think long term
By playing non zero sum games
Communication is essential to know if they are aiming to have an organic growth or to move in a faster pace. Usually you'll get this on weekly 1:1.
The leadership I print on them, is to find out what they are expecting to have, what is the range of time they are expecting a change & their willigness to have bigger challenges, to deliver results faster, to learn wisely and to be beyond the obvious.
They might have a biased vision of this growth trajectory based on what they see in their environment, the most important thing is to guide them thru all the process, to let them know that instead of a rocky road, we could pave this growth together based on OKRs that have to be met on time, monitoring this on a constantly basis.
Encouraging your people to seek out a mentor or a coffee chat with someone in the role they aspire to can help them discover the pathway there. You may even introduce them to that person to visibly show your support!