Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a colleague. I asked a simple question: Where is it that you want to go? There was some trepidation, some hesitation. So I asked more—about their background, their education, their journey. I learned something I’ve heard many times: they completed an associate degree, didn’t pursue a four-year degree, married early, focused on family, and have been committed to their career in our company. But they were wrestling with that familiar question: What’s next for me?
In this case, the “next” was straightforward—building core skills to take on a stretch assignment. Specifically, learning to think about credit and underwriting at a deeper level. That’s a journey I’ve been on myself, so I encouraged this leader to fold this into their 2026 plan.
What I’ve noticed is that when people start thinking about expanding their role, they often worry about displacing others. I had to reframe it:
This isn’t about replacing anyone. There’s room for everyone. This is about future-proofing your career and staying relevant as new opportunities emerge.
The leader lit up. The little bit of perspective gave them clarity, and they took the next step—they followed up the very next day. That follow-through mattered.
Moments like this remind me of how important it is for organizations to absorb and support people who want to grow, who are thinking about their next move, who just need a nudge in the right direction. And that is certainly the case for us.