
Radial Development: A 2-Step Framework to Elevate Your Career Conversations
A few years ago, I had an employee who was eager for a promotion. She was smart, hardworking, and ambitious, but every time we talked about her next steps, she focused on why she deserved it rather than how she was growing into it. She wanted the title, the salary bump, and the recognition—but when I asked what skills she was actively developing to prepare for the role, she didn’t have an answer.
This is a common trap. We assume career growth is about proving we’re already ready for the next step. But real growth isn’t about waiting for someone to acknowledge our potential—it’s about actively stepping into it.