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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 2 6 F O C U S H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N / P RO F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T "Horizons graduates are looked upon as being the next mentor for the next class or someone for a special project," says Worster. "It's the think tank for the organization." 'We see you' Smevog cites one mission-driven Maine organization that hired an outside coach to help an early-career employee who had come from a teaching background. "She was highly capable but task- oriented and siloed — not thinking about stakeholders or the downstream effects of her work," Smevog says of the anonymous example. Coaching helped the employee understand the full organization, prepare strategically for meetings and make a shift to broader thinking. "She stepped into a leadership role. e company's investment in outside coaching did what a manager could not do from inside," she says. Entry-level development includes skill-building, navigating the work- place, career planning and understand- ing how roles connect to the broader organization. At the senior level, there's a shift from functional to strategic thinking. "Senior employees know their busi- ness," says Smevog. "What they often lack is the ability to think across the organization, build advocacy for their ideas and lead beyond their lane." Sometimes the gap is a specific blind spot the organization already knows about but needs an outside voice to deliver. "I have done this work with high- potential financial advisors — using qualitative 360-degree feedback col- lected through direct conversations rather than surveys — and the results have been significant," she continues. "e company's investment also sends a signal: we see you, and we are not ready to lose you." LauRiE SChREiBER, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lSChREiBER @ maiNEBiz.Biz fisherphillips.com Fisher Phillips helps protect that mission. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES EXIST TO SHAPE FUTURES. From employment litigation and Title IX investigations to faculty tenure issues and student affairs, our Higher Education practice gives institutions the counsel they need to focus on what matters most: their students. Mainebiz seeks to honor the young professional and rising stars of Maine's business community for our 40 Under 40 Awards. Nominate an outstanding young Maine leader today! S PONS OR ED BY NOMINATE BY MONDAY AUGUST 3RD AT MAINEBIZ .BIZ/NOMINATIONS Public development resources Maine Workforce Development Compact Maine Quality Centers Maine CareerCenter Maine Apprenticeship Program S O U R C E : HMS Career Coaching

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