How Relationship Fuels Growth

I was facilitating the final session of a two-part workshop on career development recently when one supervisor piped up and announced, ‘I tried… and this stuff doesn’t work!’ I paused (swallowing that natural defensive response) and invoked my standard invitation to ‘say more about that.’ And boy did he.

He explained that he had scheduled meetings with each team member, telling them they needed to create development plans. He reported using his favorite question of the ones we practiced during the workshop: ‘What’s your definition of success?’ And he shared that to his disappointment, the conversations went nowhere. People seemed guarded. They talked in general terms and refused to vulnerably volunteer anything personal. They seemed uncomfortable and anxious to end the conversations. As a result, he concluded that ‘this stuff doesn’t work’.

I’m really excited that the 3rd edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go will be released on 9-24. When our publisher asked us to update the classic we wrote 12 years ago, it dawned on me that much of our original advice was timeless. But what has changed – and changed dramatically – is the context of work. So, the updated and expanded edition speaks directly to this evolving context and the new challenges leaders face in their efforts to support the career development of those around them.

You can look forward to:

• A new chapter on developing at a distance: Addressing the unique challenges and solutions for supporting remote and hybrid employees.
• Insight into talent hoarding: Understanding why talent must be viewed as an enterprise resource.
• Exploration of psychological safety: Highlighting its crucial role in development relationships.
• Reinforcement of human interaction: Emphasizing the need for human connection in an AI-driven world.
• Over 100 questions: Designed to spark meaningful career conversations.
• A detailed chapter-by-chapter discussion guide: To facilitate deeper understanding and implementation.
• Book-bot: A custom GPT that extends and elevates the reader experience with AI-powered opportunities to plan and rehearse career conversations, assess current skills and practices, brainstorm targeted development activities, and more.

I am particularly excited about our book-bot because it will help readers translate the ideas from the book and the intentions they may have after reading it into the confidence to take action and help those around them to grow. ?

I can’t wait to share the new book and bot with you… and hear what you think!

Kacie Walls has more than 20 years of experience working with organizations from start-ups to mid-size to large, global organizations in the Technology, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Real Estate industries.

Through her work in Change Management and Manager Enablement, she focuses on practical processes and solutions to further business strategy supported by clear change and communication plans that cut through the crowded sea of priorities and messaging. She is passionate about ensuring people have the skills, tools, and desired culture they need to work effectively and collaboratively and stay engaged.

In her book, Succeed from the Middle , Kacie Walls provides actionable tips to balance the Middle Manager Tug of War—between you, your team, and your boss—across four challenging areas: Feedback, Career, Time, and Stress and Pressure. This practical and story-filled book addresses those highly frustrating situations you experience as a middle manager and builds your confidence to manage them seamlessly.

Although the 3rd edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go won’t be released until September 24, you don’t have to wait to start elevating your?skills and approaches. Thanks to our partners at AthenaOnline , you can jumpstart your career development efforts immediately.

Just pre-order any version of the 3rd edition and share your information here. You’ll have immediate access for 30 days to a specially curated library of microlearning videos from me and my co-author, Bev Kaye, on a range of important topics that will enhance your leadership and help you get the most from the book.

Join me for a 30-minute livestream on Tigerhall titled Thriving Together: The Manager-Employee Partnership for Career Development Success . I'll share a fresh take on building a thriving career in today's ever-changing workplace. Drawing insights from the soon-to-be-released 3rd edition of my bestseller, Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, we'll explore how both employees and managers can drive development. We'll tackle challenges like retaining?human connection in a world dominated by AI, hybrid work, and various disruptions. Discover how to build a people-first culture that leverages technology while keeping people growing, engaged, and happy. Don't miss out on this chance to transform your approach to career development!?

Join us for "Leadership & Growth: Fresh Approaches to Timeless Development Challenges " for evolving strategies that can revitalize your leadership style and impact. Explore how to support career and professional development when time is short, things are moving quickly, and you can’t always rely on physical proximity. Discover how effective leaders make growth a priority – and help those around them do the same. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership game and unlock new potential within your team!

I am excited to announce that I am speaking at The Kevin Eikenberry Group ’s virtual event, Virtual LeaderCon.?This is a free, online event that brings together me and leadership experts to talk about the most pressing and emerging leadership and learning topics.

We are all facing new challenges in the rapidly changing workplace and in this free, virtual event we will be providing real and actionable solutions that address these challenges NOW.?

I will be speaking on September 19th, at 1:20 PM ET, about career development and employee growth. It’s going to be a great session and I hope that you will reserve your seat and join me for Virtual LeaderCon.

Last month, we asked the LinkedIn community which priority would help leaders in their organization inspire greater employee development, engagement, and success.

And the good news is that each of these important dimensions is included in the 3rd edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go!

Thanks for reading,

Julie