I’m seeing a trend where team members want – and are actively looking for – novel challenges to stretch and grow.  That also includes prospective new hires as they evaluate your organization.

In addition to formal career-pathing discussions with your team members, consider the following suggestions:

• Initiatives in your department, committees in your organization, that can be piloted and launched with informal leadership and a minimum of red tape
• Reimbursement (part or full) for educational opportunities outside the organization that reward curiosity for its own sake and not just for improving subject matter expertise
• Sponsorship for participation in leadership development programs that are viewed as a privilege, investment, and require nomination
• An award that recognizes and elicits the best ideas for organizational improvement, no matter their execution