What to Do When a Good Employee Stops Trying to Grow

Companies have options to avoid employee stagnation, including offering stretch assignments, reports the Harvard Business Review . Examples include exercises in which workers have to rehearse board report speeches repeatedly. If employees' current level of skill is high but not growing, managers can suggest a move to a new assignment, new team, or a new project or client. Managers also should be direct and sympathetic as they communicate employees' successes and growth, noting they have simply outgrown their current position. Experts on teams whose growth has stagnated should be offered an assignment that really stretches them, or be encouraged to move on. Managers should use these sessions to express their appreciation and encouragement.