How to Builds Strong Teams with Career Conversations

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In today’s episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we welcome Vanessa Iloste , VP of HR for Asia at SEPHORA . Vanessa shares her unique career journey, spanning continents and industries, and the transformative power of career conversations within organizations.

She delves into the importance of career conversations in employee retention and growth, emphasizing that HR's role extends beyond transactional interactions to fostering meaningful, experiential relationships.

Watch the full episode by clicking below ⬇️

In this episode, Vanessa discusses:

🗣️ The impact of career conversations on employee retention

→ Vanessa explains how these discussions encourage loyalty and personal growth.

💼 Building a culture beyond transactional work

→ Discover how creating meaningful, experiential environments enhances employee engagement.

📈 Creating career-driven growth paths

→ Learn why career development conversations are key to retaining top talent.

🤝 How leaders can foster psychological safety

→ Vanessa shares why supporting open, honest conversations builds stronger team connections.

🔮 What advice Vanessa had for future HR leaders:

"Encourage career conversations early and often. Knock on that door, open up the world of possibilities for your team, and let them explore paths they hadn’t imagined."

"Never assume you know what someone wants in their career. Ask, listen, and give them the space to dream big—support them in building a future they’re excited about."

📚 Additional Insights: Career Development and Retention in HR

As companies prioritize career conversations and employee engagement, here are some key insights and data-driven trends for HR leaders to consider in 2024:

1. Career Conversations as a Retention Strategy → Employees are 50% more likely to stay with companies that invest in meaningful career development conversations. According to Gallup, when employees have regular discussions about their growth and future, it not only boosts their engagement but also improves retention by reducing the risk of burnout.
2. Moving Beyond Transactional Relationships in HR → 89% of HR leaders believe that fostering a culture of open communication and experiential growth leads to higher employee satisfaction. Shifting away from transactional interactions helps create a more engaging work environment, where employees feel valued and part of a bigger mission.
3. Building Psychological Safety for Honest Career Discussions → A recent report highlights that teams with high levels of psychological safety are 27% more likely to report higher job satisfaction and career satisfaction. This environment allows employees to discuss their aspirations and challenges freely, strengthening their connection to the organization and reducing turnover.
4. Structured Career Frameworks to Foster Growth → Structured career paths improve satisfaction and reduce turnover, particularly for high-potential talent. Deloitte's analysis reveals that employees who see clear development opportunities are 35% more satisfied, as these pathways help them envision long-term careers within the organization
5. HR’s Shift to Employee-Driven Development → According to the report, 70% of employees prefer a degree of control over their career trajectories, favoring opportunities for mentorship and skill-building over traditional promotions. This employee-driven development model aligns personal growth with organizational goals, improving engagement and productivity.

📚 You might be interested in:

This episode covered so many important topics, here's an additional resource for you to dive a bit deeper:

• Get proven ROI at every stage with the all-together hiring platform.
• (Start for FREE) Get instant answers to any HR questions with the world's AI copilot for HR
• A recent episode of the HR Leaders podcast covering "How to Transform HR into a Strategic Partner"

🙏 We couldn't do it without you!

Thank you to Vanessa Iloste for sharing her time, expertise, and vision with our listeners.

Also our episode and series sponsor, Greenhouse and their brilliant team Daniel Chait , Carin Van Vuuren (she/her) , Trenton Kenagy , and Robin Cornuelle and Kelsey Bernert at Daybreak Studio .

None of this would be possible without Shane Kemp , James Elwell , Rio André , Kenneth Browne and the team at HR Leaders and atlas copilot for bringing the podcast to life.

Thank you to our previous guests: Pat Wadors, Parker Mitchell, Nicole Peace, Bill Agostini, Joelle Emerson, Paaras Parker, Luke Wynne, Jon Stross, Larry Emond, Tony Buffum, Jennifer Moore, Matthew Hamilton, Debra Corey, and many more.

⏭️ Join us at our next event:

1. How to Build a Human-Centred Workplace That Thrives Through Feedback and Recognition - 7 November
2. How to Navigate Workforce Transformation at Scale: Empowering Leadership and Employees - 14 November
3. How to Develop a Comprehensive Roadmap for Skills-Based Transformation - 20 November

P.S. If you like the HR Leaders podcast, help us grow the show by rating us on Apple or Spotify ⭐️, or share this with a friend or colleague ♻️.