#6: THERE IS SOMEONE AT WORK WHO ENCOURAGES MY DEVELOPMENT

Why It's Important

Gallup data show that lack of development and career growth is the #1 reason employees leave a job. Development is part of the unwritten social contract workers expect when they are hired.

However, personal and professional development does not occur in a vacuum. It takes effort and attention. Employees need help navigating their career, whether that is through sponsorship, coaching, protection, exposure, visibility or challenging work assignments.

What the Numbers Say

Globally, three in 10 employees strongly agree that someone at work encourages their development. By moving that ratio to six in 10, organizations could realize a 6% improvement in customer engagement scores, an 11% improvement in profitability and a 28% reduction in absenteeism.

What the Best Managers Do

One common misunderstanding about this element of engagement is that "development" means "promotion." But they are not the same thing. A promotion is a one-time event. Development is a process of understanding each person's unique talents and strengths and finding roles, positions and projects that allow employees to apply them.

Great managers coach employees by identifying wins and misses, motivating them to go beyond what they think they can do, connecting them with potential mentors, and holding them accountable for their performance.

Back to Q05: MY SUPERVISOR OR SOMEONE AT WORK CARES ABOUT ME AS A PERSON

Continue to Q07: AT WORK, MY OPINIONS SEEM TO COUNT