An EY survey recently revealed something telling:

Professionals today are motivated less by perks and more by growth opportunities – upskilling, career mobility, and clear development pathways.

In other words: people don’t just want to work for you. They want to grow with you.

Why Growth Matters for Wellbeing

When people stop growing, they stagnate. That’s not just a career problem, it’s a wellbeing problem.

• Lack of growth fuels burnout: Feeling stuck or underutilised can drain motivation.
  
• Mobility drives engagement: Knowing there are future roles to move into makes people more invested in the present.
  
• Learning boosts resilience: Upskilling helps people feel capable, adaptable, and future-proof.
  

Development is one of the most underused levers in shaping both employee wellbeing and retention.

From Perks to Pathways

Many organisations invest heavily in wellbeing perks, apps, gym memberships, fruit baskets, but overlook the deeper cultural drivers.

A growth pathway is a wellbeing strategy. It signals:

• You’re not just a role, you’re a person with a future here.
• We believe in your potential, not just your output.
  

That’s the kind of message that builds trust, loyalty, and engagement.

The Retention Ripple Effect

The link is clear:

Upskilling → boosts confidence.
Mobility → shows commitment to people’s futures.
Retention → follows naturally, because people stay where they can see themselves growing.

And the best part? Growth doesn’t have to mean promotions. It can mean skill swaps, project rotations, mentoring, or short-term stretch assignments.

FINAL THOUGHT

If you’re serious about wellbeing and engagement, don’t just look at what you’re offering people today. Look at the future you’re building with them.

Because when growth becomes part of culture, retention becomes a by-product.