We often find ourselves stuck in narrow social circles with similar people. What habits confine us, and how can we break them? Organizational psychologist Tanya Menon considers how we can be more intentional about expanding our social universes - and how it can lead to new ideas and opportunities. Examples of great opportunity in a sentence, how to use it. 19 examples: A great opportunity was lost for meaningful and thoughtful reflection on. Reat Opportunities aims to show every student their potential, by providing knowledge and motivation. During the summer, GRIP partners with GO during beach days. Together, we discuss with the students the effects that gangs, drugs, and bad choices can have on their lives.

It’s human nature to grow.

We’ve been doing it since we were little. First it was growing up, now (for some of us) it’s growing out . . . either way, our bodies — and our minds — naturally want to become bigger than they are.

While our physical growth slows over time, though, our desire for development never goes away.

The human desire for growth is perhaps manifested most in the realm of career. Considering we spend about a third of our adult lives at work, it’s safe to say our jobs have a huge impact on our happiness. And if we’re not happy with our jobs, many of us — if we can afford it — will simply abandon them for something better.

So how can your company keep its employees happy enough to stick around?

Cater to that human desire we all share. Offer your employees opportunities for growth at work, and watch your employee engagement and retention grow, too.

How Growth Opportunities Improve Employee Engagement and Retention

70% of American workers are not engaged at work.

Great Opportunities Photos

How can your business use growth opportunities at work to whittle that percentage down — perhaps even to zero?

It seems obvious that employees will be more engaged at work if they know they can grow rather than feel like they’re constantly hitting their heads on the ceiling. But the stats on the subject might surprise you.

In a study by Quantum Workplace, employees listed professional growth opportunity as one of their highest drivers of engagement. Conversely, exiting employees listed lack of growth opportunity as the second highest reason for leaving.

That means that if you have high retention, it’s probably because you encourage career development opportunities — and if you have high turnover, it’s probably because you aren’t encouraging enough of them.

This global study by BlessingWhite agrees. When asked why they would quit a job, most respondents cited a lack of career opportunity, with 26% citing a lack of growth opportunities. Says BlessingWhite CEO Christopher Rice:

“While raises may encourage some workers to stick around, our findings suggest that employees — especially high performers — will remain in jobs that challenge them, utilize their expertise, and provide meaning.”

Most employees don’t feel that they are given enough space for growth. Research by DecisionWise found that only 43% of employees felt that their employers provided attractive opportunities for development.

But don’t think that career development is one-sided. In the Quantum Workplace study, 81% of people said that professional development is a shared responsibility between manager and employee.

Clearly, there’s room for improvement here.

Don’t hold your staff back. Make sure your employees know they aren’t handcuffed to their desks — that there’s room to move around a bit, as long as they prove themselves worthy of that freedom.

If you do, you’ll be able to not only retain employees longer, but also inspire them to succeed above and beyond what you expect of them.

The 4 Types of Growth Opportunities

Great Opportunities Adult Day Care

Potential for growth is important to employees. And not just financial growth, either.

There are many ways your company can offer growth opportunities — and some of them don’t cost a dime.

In an article for Forbes, Victor Lipman lists four types of growth opportunities you can use to engage your employees.

1. Financial Growth

This is the one most people consider when they think about career development. Naturally, employees will be motivated by the possibility of increased income, especially when it’s tied to their performance.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that money is the only way to keep your staff happy. If you don’t have the funds (or you don’t like the competitive atmosphere that performance-based compensation can create), consider offering other forms of growth.

2. Career Growth

Don’t underestimate the power of prestige.

Even if they’re not part of a big corporation, most driven individuals will still want to move up in the ranks of their organization. So offer them various opportunities to do so — more significant duties, more impressive job titles, bigger offices, etc.

3. Professional Growth

If they’re serious about their work, employees will want to improve in their field. In fact, most employees in this study rated training opportunities as highly important career benefits, with job-specific training at the top (54%).

The best part about providing opportunities for professional growth is that it is mutually beneficial — employees get to feel more competent, and employers get to have more competent employees!

Take advantage of this arrangement by offering ways for employees to sharpen their skills and knowledge, such as conferences, mentoring programs, online courses, or even tuition reimbursement.

Great Opportunities Await You

4. Personal Growth

While it may seem like personal growth has nothing to do with career development, many employees are motivated by factors that are completely unrelated to work.

With the increasingly blurred line between private and professional lives, it makes sense to encourage employees to pursue their personal goals.

Do this by allowing:

Lipman says that “peer praise” and a “fun work environment” are also good motivators, especially for those a little lower on the totem pole.

Why Providing Growth Opportunities Is Worthwhile

As an employee at a small digital marketing agency in South Dakota, I understand the benefits of growth opportunities at work.

At 9 Clouds, our employers encourage all of us to pursue our goals, whether professional or personal. They challenge us to come up with new ideas for the company and even create new job responsibilities for ourselves if we think of something else we’d like to do. They want us to be passionate about what we do and excited about how we do it.

Dealer Opportunities Business

Knowing that I am allowed to grow at work gives me confidence that I can achieve beyond my job description — and it gives my employers confidence that I’m in this for the long haul.

Because as long as I’m exceeding their expectations — and they’re allowing me to do so — there’s no need for me to look for something else. I’ve already found it right here.

Get More Tips on Creating a Great Work Culture

Want to learn more ways to motivate your employees?

We’re pretty passionate about establishing a work environment that all employees love and appreciate.

Check out all our articles on workplace culture, or enter your email to get more insight from 9 Clouds delivered right to your inbox.

Great Opportunities Quotes

We will handle your contact info in line with our Privacy Policy.