Lynn Cowart

Over and over, managers hear employees asking, "Do I have a future here?" Many managers and leaders struggle with the fact that they simply cannot deliver vertical moves or promotions for every employee who wants or even deserves that option. Up Is Not the Only Way introduces the concept of flexibility and agility and the multiple ways employees can grow, learn, and build a career as the way to solve the problems of immobility and retention. Managers need the tools for building rich dialogue about career mobility and dynamic workplaces that demand resilient talent at all levels. The key is communicating effectively and comfortably around the topic of career options that span a spectrum of employee engagement. From those who are ready and want to move to those who are satisfied to stay right where they are, and even for those who have no idea what the next opportunity might be, this book provides a way through these tough conversations. Up Is Not the Only Way distills the solutions to complex issues involving engagement and retention in a simple and practical way.

Up Was Never for Everyone Move up or move out. When those two options appear to be the only ones, dissatisfaction grows and engagement suffers. In decades of studying careers around the globe, Beverly Kaye, Lindy Williams, and Lynn Cowart have found that, in fact, there are more options. And rethinking career mobility can lead you to them The authors show how managers, coaches, and employees can partner to determine what's best and what's next. Keep the same job but discover new ways to learn and grow? Explore moving to a position that could be a better fit? Step back without getting derailed? This book encourages readers to take a ''kaleidoscope'' view-to be open to ever-shifting patterns of opportunities and possibilities-so they can create a unique, personalized path to a truly rewarding career.