Each of us is committed to getting all we can from our work, right? So a career should emerge from that intention, correct? Actually, careers require more than just good intentions. Meaningful careers demand Commitment, the second in our list of five career success factors. 

We know what commitment looks like in other areas of our lives. We commit to spending time with friends and family. We commit to fulfilling the promises we make. Our follow through then confirms for others that we were serious about the promises made. So what does career commitment look like? 

Here’s what we’ve learned about career commitment from decades of working with individuals and organizations: 

Individual Commitment means fulfilling a promise to ourselves to… 

…grow and change. Career development requires growth. And growth only happens when we allow ourselves to change. 

…seek and listen to feedback. Self-assessments offer just one view. Careers happen surrounded by and influenced by others.  

…anticipate and prepare. Resilient careers depend on being ready when change happens. 

…consider and pursue multiple options. Careers and growth happen in multiple ways.  

Organizational Commitment means fulfilling a promise to employees to… 

…provide accessible tools and resources. Tools are only useful if employees know where they are and how to use them. Navigating career patterns can be complicated.  

…encourage flexible and often nontraditional growth options. When upward movement is not available or when individuals aren’t interested in promotions, growth can and must still happen. 

…hold leaders at all levels accountable for developing others. Career growth, learning and development are consistently top engagement and retention drivers. Leaders who develop talent are building the future. 

When your organization’s ready to talk about career development, contact Talent Dimensions to learn from our decades of experience helping clients build powerful, sustainable and inclusive employee growth and development strategies.