Talk to high-potential direct reports about their careers

Here you’ll find content you can use to help managers initiate and sustain productive career conversations with the direct reports who represent your organization’s future.

Common mistakes managers make when discussing direct reports’ career options

As long as they avoid these common mistakes, your managers can help high-potential employees understand what your organization has to offer.

5 common career drivers

Everyone’s career drivers are unique, but knowledge of these basic types can help your managers better understand where their high-potential team members are coming from.

How to be a better career conversationalist

This article presents 10 concrete, practical suggestions — as well as examples of what to say — that managers can apply to their career conversations with high-potential direct reports.

Tool: Career conversation prep for managers

A worksheet to help managers gather their thoughts before career conversations — a step that can ensure a productive conversation.

Tool: Career conversation prep for direct reports

A worksheet managers can pass along to their direct reports in advance of a career conversation. Going over it together can help guide the conversation.

1-on-1s: What to do if a direct report is closed-off or quiet

The 1-on-1s managers hold with high-potential direct reports provide the perfect forum to broach career-related topics. But what if an employee isn’t a big talker?

100+ questions for better 1-on-1s with your direct reports

The sections on questions to ask to gauge job satisfaction and address career development will be especially helpful for managers preparing for career conversations with their high-potential team members.

(external) Fast Company: Don’t run from career talks

Use this article to give your managers another dose of encouragement to initiate career talks with their employees.