What Do Employees Really Want for Career Growth? Let’s Break It Down

As HR professionals, we’re constantly strategizing how to support employee growth—but have you ever stopped to ask, what kind of support are employees actually looking for? We decided to dig in and get some answers, so we polled LinkedIn followers on how they prefer managers to help with their career growth. With options like direct mentorship, leadership roles, skill development, and task autonomy, it turns out that employee needs may be shifting in interesting ways.

Mentorship: Not Quite the Priority We Thought?

It surprised us to see that mentorship wasn’t the top pick. With so much emphasis on mentoring as a cornerstone of development, why was it lower on the list? One theory: employees today might be more comfortable finding answers independently, thanks to our digital-first world. So instead of traditional mentorship, we might need to reimagine it as a dynamic, flexible relationship. Think of mentors as guides who provide targeted advice and actionable insights, rather than as formal, assigned coaches.

Leadership Roles: Not the End-All, Be-All?

Interestingly, only a small percentage of respondents wanted leadership roles as their primary growth opportunity. Maybe the traditional ladder to “management” doesn’t hold the same appeal it once did. Our takeaway? While there will always be a need for strong leaders, it’s equally important to offer meaningful roles that allow employees to contribute and grow outside of management positions. By listening to employees’ career interests, we can better align them with opportunities that feel right to them, whether that’s a leadership track or something different.

Skill Development: High Demand, But How Do We Deliver?

With technology constantly evolving, it’s no surprise that skill development topped the list. Employees want to keep their skills sharp and relevant. The challenge for HR? Balancing affordable, scalable e-learning options with deeper learning opportunities. We believe that on-the-job learning offers a great solution here: by clearly connecting tasks and projects to specific skills, employees can learn and grow while they work. And when you frame each assignment as a learning experience, it shifts focus from just getting the job done to growing from the experience.

Task Autonomy: The Real MVP?

Task autonomy emerged as a top choice, and it’s easy to see why. Having the freedom to make decisions, set goals, and work independently can be incredibly motivating. For managers, supporting autonomy is about maintaining open, regular check-ins where employees feel comfortable sharing progress, asking questions, and celebrating wins. Giving employees room to lead their work while staying connected for support is a win-win for everyone.

What’s Next?

At Mosaic, we’re constantly evolving how we approach career growth because employee needs are always changing. It’s essential to recognize the individuality of each employee’s growth journey. Our HR services are designed to help organizations like yours meet employees where they are, empowering them to grow in ways that resonate with their unique goals.

Curious about what Mosaic’s HR services could bring to your team? Check out our HR outsourcing page for more. Let’s build a workplace that grows with your people.