How often have you been told “you drive your career”? Empowering people with autonomy is crucial, and this statement is true. We each have a responsibility to ourselves to forge the career of which we dream. While others may be interested or supportive, at the end of the day, it is our career.
The shortcoming of this autonomy is that it carries a shadow message. If employees “own it,” then some perceive this to mean that organizations do not and they inherently “pass the buck.” While this is not true, well-intentioned messaging often falls shorts.
Most organizations recognize their responsibility to develop their talent, and in striving to motivate and enable their talent, emphasize the employees’ ability to “drive” their careers. When received at scale, this message can feel laisse faire to employees.
How do we close this gap? What’s the answer?
Finish the Metaphor
Quite simply, finish the metaphor! Telling employees that they “drive their careers” is akin to handing a 16-year-old with a learner’s permit the keys and saying “good luck, go get’em!” With little more than book knowledge, no one becomes a strong driver. That is why months of practice driving with a licensed driver in the front seat is required.
Professional development follows suit. To balance out the messaging, organizations need to actively communicate that their Talent Development teams are riding shotgun. Sometimes we sound like the GPS calling out when to change lanes; others we steady the wheel. We coach, congratulate and create new pathways to success. We encourage drivers to adjust their speed and see their blind spots. We teach the science and art of driving, not just how to get from point A to point B.
Road Signs
Once an organization offers employees the keys and builds an infrastructure equivalent to a driver’s ed practice course, Learning & Development teams have three more jobs.
First, recognize that each touch point and channel of communication is a bright orange blinking road sign. The tone of professional development communications have a lasting impact. They do not go unnoticed. Post your road signs carefully.
Second, be sure to wear your coveralls. In addition to riding shotgun, you are also a mechanic. Your work in maintaining a well-oiled learning machine is never done. Get back out there!
Third, teach lessons on how to drive rather than where to drive. Create durable skills that empower exploration and personal growth. If that 16-year-old heeds the lessons well and chooses to take a gap year before college, he may find himself driving cross country. In addition to your voice in his head, may he also know you are only a call away and are waiting by the phone.
To the Point
Career empowerment requires presence and ongoing support. We know this intrinsically, and we also must communicate it frequently.
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