They Keep Saying “Let’s Talk About Your Growth Later," But What That Delay Really Means for Your Career

In many workplaces across the United States, one of the common phrases that workers tend to hear in a meeting or a performance review is “we will discuss your growth later,” and while it seems harmless to some, it is often done without a plan in place for when that will be and what that means for the employee in terms of their future.

This leads to a system in which workers are supposed to be patient and understanding without being given any real sense of whether or not their growth is being taken seriously into consideration. This leads to a point at which the employee cannot understand their growth in any way.

According to research done and published on the National Institutes of Health platform, unclear communication in terms of workplace growth leads to confusion and disengagement for workers when they are not given a sense of timelines for growth.

Why Growth Conversations Get Delayed

There are a number of reasons why Human Resources departments and managers may avoid or delay discussions about growth, and one of them is related to internal processes such as budgeting or restructuring that have not yet been completed.

In this case, it is possible to see how a company may not provide definitive answers because they do not want to make promises that they may not be able to keep in the future, which is a reasonable position from a business point of view, but creates uncertainty for the employee waiting for answers.

On the other hand, it is possible to see how psychological factors may also come into play in this case, especially because avoiding these kinds of discussions may help managers avoid uncomfortable situations related to promotions, performances, or other limitations.

According to the National Institutes of Health, avoiding uncomfortable discussions is one type of known behavior in the workplace that may help to avoid short-term dissatisfaction but will ultimately cause long-term dissatisfaction among employees.

The Impact of Uncertainty on Employees

When communication about growth is not provided to the employees, this confusion starts to impact their mental state and satisfaction levels, especially when weeks or months go by without any further communication about this matter.

As per studies mentioned in this same NIH-funded study, confusion about career growth results in increased levels of anxiety, and this makes them wonder about their importance to the company, thus affecting their work engagement levels.

When no goals or deadlines are set for career growth, it may also become difficult for employees to stay motivated, as they may not be able to see the direct correlation between their efforts and reward systems.

Feeling Overlooked and Undervalued

Delayed growth discussions can also lead to the perception that the organization is not investing in employees’ development, although this is not necessarily true and is often unintended.

When employees are consistently told that growth discussions will be held later, there can be a perception that they are being overlooked and that their contributions to the organization are not being recognized, especially if other employees are receiving promotions and feedback sooner.

These NIH-supported research findings illustrate that employees’ perception of being overlooked in professional development leads to decreased engagement and trust within an organization, which is vital for maintaining a positive workplace culture.

When Delays Feel Unfair

The other notable impact of delayed discussions about growth is the feeling of inequality, which results from a situation where some employees are given feedback or growth opportunities, while others are expected to wait without any reason for the delay.

The delayed feedback can, therefore, lead to frustration among the employees, as the ones who are expected to wait might feel that the organization is biased towards some employees, even though the organization might have no personal biases.

According to research, the feeling of inequality in the work environment can negatively impact the morale of the employees, which can make it difficult for the organization to retain its human resources.

Long-Term Risks for Organizations

Although avoiding growth discussions in the short term might appear to be a way to manage employee expectations, in the long term, the impact can be substantial for both the employee and the business.

The prolonged state of uncertainty can result in employee disengagement, which means that the employee will start to become emotionally detached from their work and will start to put in less effort. This can eventually lead to burnout and/or resignation.

The NIH-backed study also points to unclear communication in terms of employee growth opportunities being strongly correlated to turnover intentions.

Why Clear Communication Matters

This is evident in this particular work environment and illustrates that growth discussions aren't necessarily about promotions or salary increases, but about being able to give employees a sense of direction and purpose within the organization.

Transparent communication, even if the answer is unknown or delayed, is important in helping to build trust and allowing employees to make informed decisions about their careers, rather than being left in a state of ambiguity for too long.

As has been evident within various studies about the workplace, including those referenced through the National Institutes of Health, clarity is important for stability within the workplace.