Comments on: Your Company Should Do Annual Career Counseling

By: How to Use the 5 Whys to Discover Your True Needs | Work Happy Now!

How to Use the 5 Whys to Discover Your True Needs | Work Happy Now! — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:13:20 +0000

[...] – How to Enjoy Staying Late at Work – Your Company Should Do Annual Career Counseling [...]

By: Elizabeth Pagano

Elizabeth Pagano — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:58:52 +0000

Yes! Another way to achieve this – taking an interest in their passions and emotional needs – is to offer sabbaticals, which provide a long enough chunk of time to pursue something of significance, whehther tied to their career or a personal goal. Employees who experience sabbaticals return more productive and committed. And, interestingly, sabbaticals provide career development opportunities for those “left behind” who are doing the work coverage – they get a chance to develop new skills and try out new roles. Thanks for all your great content, Karl.

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:49:39 +0000

I agree. I had a boss who helped me incredibly with this. Even though he wasn’t officially a career counselor, he was very helpful in helping me find the right direction. Where I think some managers go wrong, is that they try to direct the conversation too much… trying to focus the employees effort in the direction that helps the company, and not the employee.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:58:13 +0000

Great post, Karl!

More employers could opportunities for internal job shadowing or “cross-training” in different departments. This would give people a better idea of how the organization works, and the skills they need to move around.

My previous company offered me the opportunity to work in a different department for three weeks, replacing someone who was on leave. It was a role I had always been curious about, so I got a chance to learn a lot and see the organization from a different angle. Very motivating, overall.

By: Stacey Shipman

Stacey Shipman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:13:57 +0000

Around my way this is called “Talent Development” and it’s exactly what my husband does. Helps with succession planning, promoting from within, etc. Sometimes it exposes people in a not so happy way, but for the most part people do appreciate the coaching – it helps them improve skills and attitude. I absolutely agree with you!

By: Your Inner Bully Needs a Hug

Your Inner Bully Needs a Hug — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:35:48 +0000

[...] Karl Staib writes about unlocking and kicking open the door to working happy at his own blog: Work Happy Now! If you enjoyed this article, you may like to subscribe to his feed, follow him on Twitter or read one of his most popular articles, Your Company Should Do Annual Career Counseling. [...]

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:57:46 +0000

Hi Karl – Yes, that’s the key – having the company listen to their employees. Too often the executives get caught up in their egos and forget it’s those who are below them that will make they shine, or can ruin their career.

If everyone who had employees REALLY listened, turnover would go down and productivity would definitely go up. How sweet would that be?

By: Marelisa

Marelisa — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:24:44 +0000

Hi Karl: I’ve read that there’s a similar culture at Microsoft: people there feel like they´re changing the world so they don’t want to leave. I think you´re absolutely right that if you show employees that you care about them and are interested in their future they´re more likely to develop loyalty toward your company, do a better job, say good things about the company to their friends and family, and even be less likely to leave.

By: Karl Staib - The Work Happy Guy

Karl Staib - The Work Happy Guy — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:54:48 +0000

Hi Lance, great. If they love the idea let me know. If not then tell them that it was someone else’s idea.

Hi Arswino, finding that middle ground to help the company and employees is a great way to make both sides happy.

Hi Tom, excellent point. Fear runs rampant throughout a lot of companies. When they can let go of this negative mindset everyone can thrive.

Hi Karen, stimulation and opportunities are also helpful for the mind and body – never really looked at career counseling at work that way. I could see where it would keep their minds young. It’s a win-win on many levels.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:06:35 +0000

Karl, excellent advice! Companies are so locked into a paradigm of fear that they fail to realize that by allowing your employees to stretch and grow with your company you are in fact strengthening the bond. By offering stimulation and opportunities for employees to work outside of their normal area you are also contributing to keeping their brains young, which in turn has a direct positive impact on their job.