Career growth and development are critical drivers of employee engagement globally. Organizations that prioritize these aspects of the employee experience can create a more motivated and productive workforce. However, a common barrier to career advancement is the perceived need for more time for development activities. In this post, I want to explore employees' challenges in finding time for growth and offer practical solutions at the company, manager, and individual levels.
When asked about obstacles to their professional development, employees consistently cite "time" as the primary barrier. This sentiment isn't limited to individual contributors; managers also struggle to find time for their own growth, let alone supporting their team's development.
I recently conducted a series of focus groups with leaders at a Fortune 500 retailer. My work with these groups revealed that constantly shifting priorities and unreasonable workloads left little room for personal or team development. This creates a cycle where managers, often lacking proper leadership training themselves, struggle to effectively support their teams' growth.
To address these challenges, organizations can implement several strategies:
Invest in comprehensive leadership development for employees identified as having managerial potential. These programs should extend beyond initial training, incorporating ongoing development throughout a manager's career to reinforce and enable effective leadership behaviors continually.
Crucially, companies must allocate adequate time for participation in these activities. Without dedicated time, even the best-designed programs will fail to achieve their goals.
Create distinctive development opportunities for high-performing employees. This could include mentoring programs, increased access to senior leadership, or assignments in different areas of the business. By investing more heavily in top talent, companies can accelerate their growth and retention.
Incorporate 180 and/or 360-degree feedback — available in Perceptyx’s People Insights Platform — into your employee listening strategy. This type of feedback provides managers with insights from multiple sources on key aspects of their roles, supporting continuous development and improvement.
Establish a well-defined, intelligently communicated company strategy with clear objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This clarity helps employees prioritize their work more effectively, potentially reducing unreasonable workloads that hinder development activities.
A clear strategy should make it easier to identify which tasks align with organizational goals and, even more importantly, which do not. This prioritization must be supported from the top down to be effective.
Managers play a crucial role in facilitating employee development. Here are some strategies they can employ:
Work with your team to create a prioritization strategy that aligns with organizational goals. This collaborative approach helps focus efforts on the most critical work, potentially reducing overall workload and freeing up time for development activities.
Consistently engage in career-related conversations with team members. These discussions have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and engagement, as evidenced by numerous surveys.
Intentionally seek opportunities to collaborate with other teams. Sharing priorities and projects can help identify redundancies and create synergies, potentially freeing up capacity across the organization.
Start each week by asking team members to share their top priorities and any support they need. This practice helps identify who might have capacity to assist others, promoting a more balanced workload across the team.
Work with your direct reports to establish a regular cadence for blocking time specifically for development activities. During these discussions, refer back to individual development goals and provide recommendations on how to use this time effectively.
For office-based employees, ineffective meetings can be a significant time drain. Regularly assess the necessity and efficiency of team meetings, looking for opportunities to streamline or eliminate unnecessary gatherings.
As a manager, it's important to model the behavior you want to see in your team. Make your own development activities visible and discuss them openly, reinforcing that it's not only appropriate but encouraged to dedicate time to personal growth.
While organizational and managerial support matters a great deal, individuals still play the starring role in their own development. Here are some strategies for employees:
When time is blocked for development, use it purposefully. Work with your manager to identify specific activities that align with your development goals, whether that's cross-functional shadowing, catching up on industry research, or participating in training sessions.
Recognize that workload and stress levels fluctuate. When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to recharge. Taking a walk, getting some fresh air, or simply taking a break can be valuable for your overall productivity and well-being, and may leave you more inspired.
Reflect on what gives you meaning in your work and be creative in approaching those elements. Remember that you ultimately own your growth and development. If it's truly important to you, you'll find ways to make time for it.
Don't hesitate to communicate your needs and aspirations. Whether it's requesting more development opportunities or seeking support in managing your workload, advocating for yourself is crucial in ensuring your growth needs are met.
While strategies at the company, manager, and individual levels will foster career growth, implementing these requires a deep understanding of your organization's unique challenges and opportunities. This is where an employee listening partner like Perceptyx can offer valuable assistance. By leveraging comprehensive employee listening solutions, organizations can gain access to the data-driven insights that will drive their development initiatives forward. Here's how:
Schedule a meeting with Perceptyx today to explore how we can help energize your people, enabling you to unlock their full potential and drive your organization forward.