Career Development - 16 September 2008

More than 80 percent of adult Australians gamble - the highest rate in the world. We have more poker machines than any other country, and in fact, 20 percent of the world's gaming machines are located right here. There are two kinds of people - waiters and creators. Gamblers are waiters. For example, they patiently play the lottery every week hoping they'll make their fortune. Creators, on the other hand, don't gamble to become wealthy. They find a proactive way to make money. They might start a business, climb the corporate ladder, invest spare cash, or anything else to strike it rich. Waiters rarely achieve success; creators usually do. The same principle applies at work.

When it comes to developing your employees' careers, you're a waiter or a creator. Either you wait for opportunities to come along before helping your employees with their career aspirations, or you proactively create what needs to happen for them to fulfil their career objectives. Here are four ways to be more of a career creator:

Talk about it. Not a month should go by without a discussion with each employee about their career goals. The clearer you are on where they want to go, the easier it is to help.

Think about it. Look at career management as a partnership between you and your staff. If you find employment opportunities elsewhere that they'd be suited for, share them.

Do about it. See career development more as growth and skills advancement rather than specific roles. Source mentors, create interesting projects, and send people on courses.

Rave about it. When employees move on to bigger and better things, look at it as a win rather than a loss. Celebrating it shows you care and it inspires the rest of your team.

Become more of a career creator than a career waiter, and the loyalty and extra engagement you get from your employees will place you on an unbeatable winning streak.  

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