Career Growth, Not Just Roles: The Development Expectation

13 minutes ago
2 min read

When I ask younger employees what they want most from their work, the answer usually isn’t money. It’s growth. They want to learn, to progress, to know they’re building something beyond their current role. For Millennials and Gen Z, career development isn’t a “perk”, it’s the expectation.

This is a big shift for leaders. In previous generations, many people were content to stay in one role for years, even decades, climbing slowly up the ladder. That’s not how it works anymore. Today’s employees are hungry for stretch. They’re asking: “How will this role grow me? What will I learn here that sets me up for what’s next?” If leaders can’t answer those questions, they’ll struggle to hold onto talent.

Why Development is Non-Negotiable

Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z & Millennial Survey found that nearly half of younger workers would leave within two years if they felt stagnant. It’s not because they’re impatient, it’s because they’ve grown up in a world where learning is constant. They can access online courses, TED talks, and podcasts on demand. They know growth is possible everywhere, so they expect it at work too.

And here’s the kicker: development isn’t just about promotions. For many, it’s about skills, opportunities, and experiences. A lateral move, a stretch project, or a chance to learn AI tools can be just as motivating as a title change.

The Leadership Response

If you want to attract and keep the next generation, you need to build development into the fabric of work. That means:

Embedding learning into daily life. Not just formal training, but mentorship, feedback, and exposure to new challenges.
Talking careers openly. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Where do you want to be in two years?”
Offering visible pathways. Even if people don’t want to stay forever, show them how their growth is supported while they’re with you.

I’ve coached leaders who fear that if they invest in developing their people, they’ll just leave anyway. My response is always the same: “What if you don’t invest, and they stay?” Development builds loyalty. Even if someone eventually moves on, they’ll leave as an advocate, not a critic.

Final Thought

Younger generations don’t want to just have jobs. They want careers that grow them. Leaders who provide that won’t just retain talent, they’ll build reputations as organisations where people thrive.

And in today’s competitive talent market, that’s priceless.

If you would like to book in a time to speak with Ally: CLICK HERE.

Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching