Sarah Childress is an intern from Samford University.
Opportunities for growth are vital for both personal and professional development. However, as of November 2023, Gallup research showed that only about 33% of employees strongly agreed that they had opportunities to grow at work. This concerning statistic means that the majority of employees are working in environments where they did not feel encouraged to develop and advance in their careers. How do we increase this statistic? In a professional environment, what are ways to effectively facilitate growth?
Kelli Thompson, Author, Speaker and Professional Coach
According to Kelli Thompson, the answer to these questions is giving your direct reports “struggle room.” In her article titled To Help Your Team Grow, Give Them Space to Struggle, Thompson describes the necessity of properly utilizing task delegation, and how to employ moments of struggle as a tool for growth.
Leadership can make or break an employee experience. Oftentimes, as a leader, there can be a disconnect between actions and intentions. While leaders can intend to be attentive, empathetic, or protective of their departmental reputation, this can come across as micromanagement and lead to a monotonous work environment. Properly delegating tasks so that employees can struggle in low-stakes situations adds an air of vibrancy into a previously dull work environment, while encouraging self-confidence and critical thinking.
