Investing in Your Employees’ Careers

With labor shortages, increasing competition, and evolving customer expectations, business owners and managers face new challenges in attracting, retaining, and developing their workforce. One of the most effective strategies for overcoming these obstacles is investing in employee development.

This is where my new book, “You Next: A Step-By-Step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career” comes in. This book provides a clear roadmap for individuals who want to take control of their professional growth, but more importantly, it offers a tool that managers and business owners can use to cultivate leadership within their teams.

The Manager’s Role in Employee Development

Managers and business owners in the PHC industry often focus on technical training, ensuring their teams have the right skills to install, repair, and maintain systems. While technical proficiency is crucial, personal and professional development is equally important. Employees who feel valued and see a future within their company are more likely to stay, perform at a higher level, and contribute to a positive work culture.

Investing in employee development provides several key benefits:

Improved Retention: Turnover is costly. Losing a skilled technician or service professional means lost revenue, additional hiring costs, and a dip in customer service quality. When employees see a clear career path within their company, they are more likely to stay.

Stronger Employee Engagement: People want to work for leaders who invest in them. Employees who receive mentorship, training, and career guidance are more engaged and productive.

Better Business Performance: Good businesses need good people. A well-trained, engaged workforce provides better service, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased business growth.

Managers must take an active interest in their employees’ career development. If they don’t, employees will seek opportunities elsewhere.

Make Use of Leadership Tools

I wrote “You Next” as a resource for business owners and managers to help their employees identify and achieve career goals. The website YouNextNow.com provides tools to help these conversations and ensure employees feel supported in their career growth.

Here’s how PHC managers and business owners can use these resources:

Career Development Worksheets: These downloadable tools help employees outline their career goals, assess their strengths, and identify areas for improvement. Managers can use them in one-on-one meetings to guide employees through their career planning process.

Leadership Development Guides: Managers can access structured guides that help them mentor and develop future leaders within their teams. Leadership in the PHC industry isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Conversation Starters for Employee Development: Many managers want to support their employees, but don’t know how to start the conversation. The website provides prompts and discussion frameworks to make these interactions more meaningful.

Skill-Building Resources: Employees can use the online tools to develop both technical and soft skills, positioning them for promotions and new opportunities within the company.

By integrating these forms and templates into regular check-ins and performance discussions, managers create a culture of continuous learning and growth. Employees who believe their leaders are invested in their future are more likely to remain loyal to the company.

The Impact of Leadership Development Programs

Companies across industries have recognized that leadership development programs lead to better performance, higher retention, and increased employee satisfaction. Several large organizations serve as examples:

General Electric (GE): GE has long been known for its commitment to leadership development, creating structured programs that help employees grow into leadership roles.

Deloitte: This global consulting firm has a well-documented commitment to employee development, investing in mentorship and career progression programs.

Southwest Airlines: The airline industry faces similar challenges to the PHC sector — high turnover and the need for highly skilled employees. Southwest built a reputation for leadership development, ensuring employees see long-term career opportunities within the company.