What do you do if your team leaders aren't identifying and nurturing talent for career growth?

Understanding the Situation: Gather Information: Before approaching your senior, take some time to understand the situation better. Are there specific instances where you witnessed a lack of focus on talent development? Is it a company-wide issue, or specific to your team? Talking to colleagues can provide valuable insights. Identify Your Goals: Reflect on your own career aspirations. What kind of growth opportunities are you looking for? Having a clear idea of your goals will help you frame the conversation constructively.

> Take initiative! Explore online courses, industry certifications, or attend workshops to build your desired skillset. > Schedule a one-on-one with your team leader. Express your interest in career growth and discuss specific opportunities for development within the team. > Look for senior colleagues or leaders across the company who can provide guidance and support your career aspirations.

Initiating the Conversation: Schedule a Meeting: Request a one-on-one meeting with your senior. Express your desire to discuss your career development within the company. Start with Appreciation: Begin by acknowledging your senior's leadership and your appreciation for their guidance. Frame Your Concerns: Express your interest in growing within the company. Mention that you've observed limited focus on talent identification and development within the team. Provide specific examples if possible (without criticizing individuals).

Proposing Solutions: Highlight Benefits: Explain how nurturing talent benefits the company. Emphasize how it leads to increased employee engagement, retention, and a pool of qualified candidates for future promotions. Suggest Resources: Research and suggest existing company resources that could be leveraged for development, like training programs, mentorship opportunities, or internal conferences. Show Initiative: Propose some ways you can take charge of your own growth. This might include seeking out external training opportunities, networking with senior leaders, or shadowing colleagues in different departments.

One of our most attended events are career progression talks featuring internal speakers from all levels and all departments sharing their trials and tribulations of getting to where they are now. These conversations help the younger in career get an insight into career progression while also giving various perspectives to leadership to open the possibilities of looking beyond the status quo.

Focus on Collaboration: Open Dialogue: Express your willingness to work collaboratively with your senior and team leaders to identify development opportunities. Offer Ideas: If you have any specific ideas for development programs or initiatives, share them with your senior. Example Script: "Hi [Name], I'd love to schedule some time to discuss my career development at [Company Name]. I'm very interested in growing within the company and learning new skills. However, I haven't seen many opportunities for talent development within our team recently. I was wondering if you had any insights into future initiatives or resources available."

Following Up: After the meeting, thank your senior for their time and summarize any key points discussed. If they suggested specific resources or actions, follow up on them promptly. If no clear path forward is established, consider requesting another meeting to discuss next steps. Remember: Maintain a respectful and positive tone throughout the conversation. Focus on solutions and collaboration. By taking initiative and demonstrating your commitment to growth, you can encourage positive change within the team.

Additional Tips: Talk to HR: The HR department might have additional insights into company-wide talent development programs or initiatives. Network with Others: Seek out mentors or colleagues who can offer guidance and support your career aspirations. By following these steps, you can effectively address the lack of talent development with your senior and pave the way for your own career growth within the company.