Career Development Requires Visibility During Work Hours

Numerous corporate leaders feel uncomfortable dedicating work hours to career development activities such as networking, public speaking, or building professional connections, despite these actions potentially benefiting their employer. Experts suggest that this "under-the-radar" approach to career planning is detrimental. They argue that activities increasing a leader's visibility and professional network ties not only advance individual careers but also contribute to organizational success.

Leaders have reported feelings of "selfishness" when investing time in personal development, often stemming from traditional corporate cultures where absence from the office may be questioned. Conversely, leaders who visibly allocate work time to non-operational tasks tend to thrive, as do their teams. Their performance improves, making them more attractive employers.

Visible career development offers several advantages. It can lead to new learning applicable to one's role, as employees attend external events and share insights. For instance, a global communications director in technology has encouraged her team to use allocated development time for networking, which has boosted performance.

Furthermore, open investment in career progression enhances employee retention. When staff are encouraged to build their external profiles and reputations, they feel valued and are more likely to remain with the company. This can also cultivate new talent and strengthen the employer brand, attracting high-caliber candidates and even former employees back to the organization.