Motivating employees beyond pay & building thriving careers in the new world of work

A new white paper from business psychologist and strengths-based assessment pioneer James Brook, outlines the key components for developing meaningful and engaging career development programmes. 

Key findings include:

More career changes for this generation

The average person is expected to have between 12 and 20 jobs in their lifetime, more than double that of previous generations. This is led by unprecedented change, more opportunities, changing employee expectations about what they want from their career and technological advancement creating and removing jobs from the labour market.

Careers representing climbing walls rather than ladders

Careers are changing shape, a more appropriate metaphor is a career climbing wall, which describes the non-linear approach to career development. This encourages exploration, continuous learning and creative pathfinding; it also allows for adaptation to new roles as they emerge. 

Shared responsibility for career development

Employees must have autonomy over their development, but employers must provide relevant, engaging and personalized pathways, tools and support to guide them. Tying career development to social impact using volunteering can also offer meaningful professional development and upskilling opportunities while fulfilling employees’ desire to make a positive contribution to society. 

The white paper, “How employers can support career thriving in the new world of work”, also reveals how organizations provide leading edge career development in a five-step model:

1.     Create a future-focused and strengths-based career strategy 

2.     Develop and communicate agile career opportunities

3.     Invest in skill-building and development

4.     Cultivate a thriving learning culture 

5.     Evolve the approach to stay ahead

The paper was published by TalentPredix, which works with organizations around the world to accelerate business success by optimizing talent management and building thriving workplaces. James Brook, founder of TalentPredix, together with an expert team of psychologists and consultants, shares insight into how strong career development programmes support business growth, improve employee retention and engagement, especially in periods of volatility, economic challenge and talent shortages. 

James Brook, founder of TalentPredix, says: “The technological revolution is transforming the workplace at a rapid pace. From global supply issues, rising operational costs and inflation to a talent shortage, organizations are managing myriad challenges. 

“In a financially challenging period, it is unsustainable to rely on pay and rewards to attract and retain talent. While compensation plays a role, organizations need to use different levers. One of the most effective ways to attract and motivate talented people is designing work that offers development and challenge as it increases workers’ value and gives them an opportunity to meaningfully improve their lives at work and beyond.”

Brook continues: “There are four key elements that define career thriving. These employees feel Empowered, Engaged, Enriched and Effective. This leads to improved job satisfaction, greater wellbeing and helps prepare people for the future as roles and working environments evolve and transform.. It also helps to attract and retain top talent in a hyper-competitive market for talent. Furthermore, engaged, skilled and positive workers contribute to better business results.” For more information about TalentPredix™, please visit www.talentpredix.com or contact the team at info@talentpredix.com