Community bank leaders agree that developing future leaders, whether for anticipated growth or to prepare for key departures, is critical to continuing to fill their banks’ missions – to move their bank, community and industry forward. Increased competition for talent compounded with unstable workforces, the need to upskill workers, and evolving worker expectations – has many human resource leaders “up at night” and rethinking their approach to effectively attract, employ, retain and promote employees. Research consistently finds that employees tend to be more engaged when given opportunities for development, growth, and career progression. Historically, when it comes to taking the actions necessary to help employees manage their career; many leaders admit to falling short.
Community bank employees should be actively involved in planning and building their own career paths with support from their bank. Career pathing is a process used by an employee to chart a course within a community bank for his or her own career path and career development in alignment with the bank’s goals and needs. Career pathing requires an employee to take an honest look at his or her own career goals and interests, strengths, skills, needed knowledge, experience and personal characteristics and how those are best suited to a bank’s talent needs. Employees assume ownership for attaining their desired career goals and crafting a plan which may require lateral moves, departmental transfers, and job promotions in addition to addressing skills gaps, acquiring new skills, pursuing professional development opportunities, and obtaining certain role specific experiences.
Most individuals are not equipped to successfully manage their career and are often at a loss for: (1) how to position themselves for or how to ask for a promotion; (2) how to navigate and capitalize on career opportunities available within organizations, or (3) how to build and manage a successful career. Recognizing a community bank need for an effective career management program, formally launching in January 2018, is a new, industry leading concept focused on career pathing/soft skills development that will benefit all members. Designed to be a comprehensive, yet flexible career pathing program offering real-world, practical career success guidance and strategies for your employees to make a greater impact in the bank, in the community, and in their personal lives. Community bankers can choose to take part in all or part of the fifteen available self-paced or instructor led online modules. The interactive sessions will give employees the tools and techniques to use immediately to strengthen their professional and leadership skills and advance their career within the community banking industry. Featuring live, community learning Q&A sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, gain mentoring, and share insights with other community bankers across the state and nationally enabling you to build your career networks.
This program is for your employees who have, so far, found neither the time, the means, nor the opportunity to learn the principles of career and personal success, but who want results, want to go beyond the traditional emerging leader and professional banking programs available, and are willing to invest the time to learn and apply the knowledge contained within this innovative course to enhance their professional and personal lives. This course will assist employees in emphasizing their strengths at work, in life, and within your community – after all the best way to build a bank’s strength is to leverage that talent within.
Success is a personal commitment – so put your professional future in your own hands. By taking control of your own career path, rather than passively relying on others to notice you, you’ll set yourself on a path to career success or redefining what success means to you at your career stage. All you need to do is start learning.