Employee development isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Top performers now have more options than ever, so prioritizing employee growth can be the difference between a thriving workplace and constant turnover. Yet many organizations still treat development as an afterthought, focusing solely on onboarding or annual reviews instead of creating meaningful, ongoing opportunities to grow.
It’s time to change that. And the best place to start? Equipping your managers to become mentors, not just taskmasters.
Why Development Drives Retention (and Results)
When employees feel supported in their growth, they’re far more likely to stay. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. The ROI is clear: employee career development boosts engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty—and it’s often more cost-effective than constant recruiting and training.
But it’s not just about checking a box. Development programs should foster curiosity, expand skills, and provide employees with a clear sense of purpose and direction. That starts with trust, transparency, and strong communication from leadership.
Managers Set the Tone
Managers play a critical role in shaping the employee experience, but many aren't trained to lead through development. Gallup found that only 26% of employees strongly agree that their manager helps them set performance goals, and just 2 in 5 feel their performance is managed in a way that motivates them.
That’s a huge missed opportunity.
When managers are coached on how to give constructive feedback, delegate with intention, and recognize effort, they create an environment where people want to grow. It’s not about micromanaging; it’s about empowering employees to take ownership of their own paths while knowing they have leadership’s support behind them.
Small Shifts, Big Impact
Building a culture of development doesn’t require a huge budget or a full-scale L&D team. Here are a few simple ways to get started:
- Encourage continuous feedback: Don’t save feedback for formal reviews. Normalize real-time, specific praise and course-correction.
- Offer stretch projects: Give employees the chance to take on new challenges that align with their goals.
- Recognize growth: Reward employees not just for outcomes, but for learning new skills or stepping outside their comfort zone.
- Create peer-to-peer learning networks: Let employees share expertise across departments and recognize those who mentor others.
- Use incentives to fuel growth: Gift cards through the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform are a simple, meaningful way to reward progress—whether it’s completing a training course or stepping up to lead a new initiative.
Recognition that Supports Career Growth
The Engage2Reward Platform makes it easy to support employee development with customizable, trackable, and flexible reward options. From career milestone celebrations to ongoing learning incentives, the platform empowers leaders to recognize effort in real time with gift cards that resonate across teams.
Employees want to grow. Make it easy for them to see a future at your organization by building a culture of feedback, opportunity, and recognition. When you turn development into a daily practice—not just a policy—you don’t just build stronger employees. You build a stronger business.
Ready to get started? Contact our team today.
