Are you having Career Conversations with your team?

Superyacht crew have a growing amount of career pathways onboard and ashore. Career Conversations are critical in identifying career goals and developing a way of reaching them.

For leaders, knowing the career aspirations of the people in your team are crucial in discovering more about their skills, motivators and goals.   It is a tool that will enable you to discover what it is that makes them “tick”. Here’s why having regular career conversations are essential for yacht crew.

The Importance of Career Conversations for Crew.

Having career conversations with your team members should not just be a formality; it plays a crucial role in fostering growth, engagement, and mutual success within a team. Regular career conversations have the ability to enhance:

1. Retention: It signals your commitment to your team’s professional development. When team members feel heard and supported, they are more likely to stay.
2. Individualised Growth: Career discussions allow you to understand people’s aspirations, strengths, and areas for improvement. By customising development plans based on their goals and aspirations, you empower them to grow within the team.
3. Increased Engagement: When crew feel that their heads of department care about their careers, they become more engaged. These conversations provide clarity, align expectations, and create a sense of purpose.
4. Retention and Motivation: Regular career conversations help identify opportunities for skill development, job rotation, or potential promotions. When team members see a clear path forward, they are likely to be more motivated to perform at their best.

As a head of department, prioritise career conversations early and often. Understand crew’s individual preferences, encourage experimentation, and support their growth. Remember, your role extends beyond your own professional development; it’s about helping others thrive too.

How to prepare for a Career Conversation:

Career conversations between head of departments and crew are essential for growth and development. Approach the conversation openly, aiming for mutual understanding and actionable outcomes. Here’s how both parties can prepare:

1. Heads of Department:
   • Familiarise: Understand the crew member’s performance history, strengths, and areas for growth.
   • Review: Consider past feedback, accomplishments, and improvement areas.
   • Empathise: Cultivate active listening skills to create a supportive environment.
2. Crew:
   • Reflect: Think about career goals, achievements, challenges, and growth areas.
   • Outline: Prepare aspirations, desired skills, and identify roadblocks.
   • Align: Understand how personal goals fit with the programme’s objectives.

Find out how People at Sea can assist you in enabling productive career conversations by scheduling a free consultation here.