Thriving Within: How Companies Are Fostering Internal Mobility for Success

BY Katie Chambers | November 27, 2023

Why do most employees choose to leave their companies? A Gallup survey of job seekers looking to leave their current role discovered that the number one reason was lack of engagement with their organization, cites Scott David, CEO and founder of The Authentic Executive. Respondents explained they were looking for professional development, career advancement opportunities, and more interesting work to keep them engaged. The good news is that this is a salvageable situation for employers willing to focus on their employee engagement and internal mobility strategies.

To retain valued workers and attract top talent, more companies are focusing on providing both upskilling and reskilling opportunities to their workers to help prepare them to move into new roles across the organization. During a panel discussion at From Day One’s Denver conference, experts discussed the benefits of improving internal mobility. In the discussion titled “Creating Opportunity Within: How Employers Are Boosting Internal Mobility,” the panelists discussed topics around how employers can coordinate these efforts by their executive teams and leaders in HR and talent acquisition, and why better internal mobility can align with efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Helping a Company’s Bottom Line

David notes that studies from Gallup, SHRM, and Deloitte have found that internal mobility correlates with a 21% increase in engagement, a 23% increase in productivity, and a 40% reduction in turnover. “So when you figure it takes one-and-a-half to two times somebody's salary to replace them, those numbers add up pretty quickly,” David said.

Upskilling is one of the key ways to increase retention. When employees have an opportunity for professional growth, even if it’s just skills-based rather than a title, it can increase their desire to stay. Panelist Kassey Kampman, VP of people operations at SSA Group, is a perfect example, having started as a cashier at the company then growing in her responsibilities over 15 years. Kampman shares that the company looked to its employees to guide it on what training to provide. “We took the bottom-up approach, which is very organic, leaning into our daily operations and observing skill gaps, observing our operators in the field, letting our people tell us what skills they’re interested in and what they are seeking,” Kampman said. From there, they were able to build out a standardized upskilling model.

Rebecca Warren, director of customer success at Eightfold, agrees that an organic approach is most effective. “When we back it up a little bit and say, ‘what skills are actually needed for this position?’ and we start putting a focus on the person as opposed to focus on the job, those skills become really apparent,” Warren said.

David Mafe, chief diversity officer & VP of HR at Denver Metro Region, UCHealth, emphasizes the need for removing hard and fast requirements, such as certain academic certifications, from job descriptions in order to let the right people grow naturally in a role. “I think that’s really the future of upskilling,” Mafe said. “It's about removing the barriers so people are able to move once they develop skills. What we'll find is that there are people who are qualified who are hiding in plain sight.”

Upskilling as a DEI strategy

Removing these barriers for advancement and instituting an internal upskilling program can complement an organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, helping to ensure that employees from marginalized groups have access to all the tools they need to succeed. Mafe’s team noticed a high turnover of entry-level employees who were struggling with a need for better tuition assistance. Many of them were Black or Hispanic, often first-generation immigrants. UCHealth began offering in-house short-term skills training programs to try to offset the need for these employees to pay for education elsewhere. Getting an in-house certification in just a few months allows workers to progress to positions within the company where they can make more money.

“You can start as a front desk person earning X amount, and then [transition to a role] where there's an immediate $3, $4, sometimes $5 difference that you're able to gain access to within about seven months, which is really powerful and makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the people that are working for us,” Mafe said. “We had this expectation that it was going to improve engagement, retention, and DEI and we saw all of those things right away.”

In a conversation moderated by Elizabeth Hernandez, reporter at The Denver Post, the panelists discussed the topic “Creating Opportunity Within: How Employers Are Boosting Internal Mobility.” 

Melissa Uribes, VP of talent, diversity, equity and inclusion at Trimble, says her organization began working with workforce partners to provide accelerated boot-camp style training to employees that have demonstrated the right competencies for success in an effort to bring in more diverse leaders to a traditionally white male skewing team of engineering professionals. The partner even screens training candidates for Trimble and develops the 20-week curriculum. “Of the 20 employees who came through that cohort, Trimble ended up hiring about seven of them and they are really thriving in terms of their contribution to the company,” Uribes said.  “And we have dramatically changed their economic mobility because they've now had access to a career field that they did not have access to before.”

Employers are also recognizing that networking and mentorship are just as integral as education when it comes to retention – and that too can affect DEI statistics. Kampman says SSA Group built a mentorship program in 2015, when at the time it had only 23% female representation in its general management positions. “We had an ‘Empower Her’ ERG that was fostered toward empowering women in leadership. In leaning on the mentorship program, we were able to shift that representation to 52% in 2023,” Kampman said. The company has expanded the mentorship program to also include hard skills training as well as leadership exposure for its hourly workforce, 75% of which comes from marginalized groups.

Shifting the Mindset Toward Internal Mobility

One of the biggest challenges to ensuring internal mobility can be a mindset shift for leaders who may not have prioritized it in the past. Part of this comes from recognizing past patterns, such as talent hoarding among departments and from there, developing benchmarks to reinforce accountability, Uribes says.

This keeps efforts from being performative, what moderator Elizabeth Hernandez, reporter at The Denver Post, called a “one-off brown bag lunch” meeting so that the leadership team can say that they tried. “Every organization in the company has goals around career mobility and career growth, and we do monitor,” Uribes said. “Very quickly, we were able to ensure that almost 25% of our requisitions are filled with internal talent.”

That mindset shift can also mean seeing internal mobility as not just tied to roles, but also to responsibilities and projects, Warren says, which are all “different ways to get people invested” and can keep the work fresh and exciting for employees. Managers are encouraged to develop gigs that can help employees build skills and try out new projects, while simultaneously ticking the boxes of major tasks needed to move the company forward.

Leaders should set the standard for workplace pride, Mafe says, by having a system in place to celebrate employees who take on new roles or complete training programs. And it’s also about developing a bit of tolerance for risk, “to be willing to take the risk of investing in a B player, or letting an A player go in order to continue to further their career,” David said, and focus on developing talent with the hope that it will engender company loyalty.

Ultimately, employee mobility and engagement should be the natural result of an overall focus on human resources development. “The right managers shouldn't be project managers, they should be people developers and enablers allowing folks to do what they do best,” Warren said. Uribes emphasizes the need to look at career development holistically rather than in terms of lines on a resume. “We believe in the lattice,” Uribes said. “Career growth isn’t always upward mobility.” Too often, David cautions, senior leadership is focused on the numbers, the achievements, and the deadlines. That shortsightedness can cause employees to get frustrated and leave. “Your primary job is to develop people,’ David said. “If you do that, the numbers will take care of themselves.”

Katie Chambers is a freelance writer and award-winning communications executive with a lifelong commitment to supporting artists and advocating for inclusion. Her work has been seen in HuffPost, Honeysuckle Magazine, and several printed essay collections, among others, and she has appeared on Cheddar News, iWomanTV, and CBS New York.

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Burnout has become a critical issue in healthcare, especially for providers treating chronic pain. The emotional and physical demands of patient care, combined with mounting workplace stressors, are pushing many to the brink of exhaustion. Experts say the solution lies in a holistic approach—one that recognizes the deep connection between physical pain, mental health, and organizational culture.Across industries, employee mental health remains fragile. In a post-pandemic world where wellness is a top priority, companies are grappling with a key question: how can they offer support that’s truly meaningful?At From Day One’s Silicon Valley conference, a panel of experts explored the evolving landscape of employee mental health and wellness. Moderated by Michal Lev-Ram, contributing editor-at-large at Fortune, the discussion covered the role of technology, personalized wellness initiatives, and global strategies for cultivating well-being at work.“Pain is never just physical,” said panelist Claire Morrow, senior manager, PT consultants at Hinge Health. “It’s influenced by psychological and social factors, and that applies to providers just as much as patients.” Healthcare workers who spend their days managing patients’ pain often struggle with their own, leading to a cycle of stress, fatigue, and burnout.Toxic workplace culture only makes it worse. Studies show that negative workplace relationships can delay pain recovery and contribute to emotional exhaustion, Morrow says. A lack of support from leadership or colleagues can push already overburdened providers to their breaking point.“A healthy work environment isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for both patient care and provider well-being,” she said. “When providers are burned out, it directly impacts the quality of care they can give.”Thankfully, the rise of telehealth and flexible digital platforms is reshaping healthcare delivery, giving providers more control over their schedules. At Hinge Health, physical therapists can work remotely, reducing the stress of long commutes and rigid clinical hours.“Giving providers flexibility in their work helps prevent burnout and ensures they can keep delivering high-quality care,” she said. As healthcare continues to evolve, industry leaders are pushing for solutions that protect both patients and providers. The fight against burnout isn’t just about reducing stress, but about ensuring the future of quality care.Technology’s Role in Mental Health SolutionsTechnology has its place—it should enhance, not replace, human support. AI-driven tools provide employees with a confidential, accessible entry point to mental health care, especially for those hesitant about traditional therapy. Platforms like Unmind’s AI-powered system guide employees toward self-care and offer a seamless transition to professional support when necessary.Despite advancements, burnout remains high, a result of high-performance cultures that overlook well-being. Advanced analytics allow companies to measure burnout’s impact on productivity and healthcare costs, demonstrating mental health as a business priority. “The business case for mental health is clearer than ever,” said panelist Matt Jackson, GM, VP of Americas at Unmind. “When companies invest in prevention, they see reduced absenteeism, increased engagement, and ultimately, better business outcomes.”The U.S. healthcare system prioritizes treatment over prevention, but employers can lead the shift toward proactive mental health strategies. “The future of workplace mental health isn’t about reacting to problems—it’s about using technology to prevent them before they start,” Jackson said. Preventative tools offer real-time support and data-driven insights to address mental health challenges before they escalate.By integrating AI solutions, companies can scale mental health care, reduce costs, and build a resilient workforce. “Digital tools give employees the autonomy to access support on their own terms while ensuring organizations can offer consistent, scalable care,” he said. These tools also help foster a psychologically safe environment, equipping leaders with the resources to prevent burnout and enhance employee well-being.Global Approaches to Wellness As companies adapt post-pandemic, Enphase Energy has focused on helping employees prioritize self-care and family care in a world still adjusting. Panelist Vivian Hung, head of total rewards at Enphase said that “Post-Covid, everyone’s mental head space and self-care prioritization has shifted, and that extends to how they care for their family and how they care for themselves after they leave work.”To accommodate its global workforce, Enphase tailors wellness programs to meet regional and cultural needs. This includes offering fertility health benefits globally while also ensuring inclusivity for employees in different life stages. Executive panelists spoke about "Enhancing Employee Mental Health and Wellness Support" “I don’t have 100% of my workforce thinking about family formation,” Hung said. “So how do I take care of the rest of the population?” The company offers a wide range of benefits to ensure that every employee’s needs are met, irrespective of location.In addition, Enphase maintains a strong focus on work-life balance, particularly through its implementation of blackout meeting periods. They employ a blackout period to be respectful of local time zones. This ensures employees aren’t burdened with after-hours work, promoting true disconnection from work, she says. Financial wellness is another key pillar at Enphase, recognizing that financial stress is a global issue that impacts overall well-being. The company provides educational resources to help employees understand their total compensation, easing financial concerns and strengthening their connection to benefits.Fostering Meaningful ConversationsHuman connection is key to building a supportive work environment. Since each employee’s experience is shaped by their location, culture, and personal circumstances, companies must take a flexible, personalized approach to wellness. In short, panelist JoAnn Taylor, CHRO at Rakuten, says organizations must meet their people where they are. “We try to make sure that we know what’s going on, and we can be agile so we can react quickly to make sure that our employees have the support in place that they can access when they need it in confidentiality,” she said. This adaptability allows companies to offer tailored solutions, ensuring that employees feel understood and supported.While digital wellness tools play a role in wellness programs, the human element is just as crucial. “Having one meaningful conversation a day raises all the good hormones, and that builds your inner strength, so you can be more agile when things start to come at you,” Taylor said. In today’s hybrid work environment, balancing flexibility with meeting business needs is essential. That’s why they introduced Wellness Fridays, where employees get the afternoon off to recharge.As the panelists pointed out, with the right tools and a focus on human connection, companies can create a resilient, engaged workforce capable of thriving in today’s challenging landscape. By embracing flexibility, integrating preventative mental health tools, and fostering personal connections, companies can create a resilient workforce equipped to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.Carrie Snider is a Phoenix-based journalist and marketing copywriter.(Photos by David Coe for From Day One)

Carrie Snider April 16, 2025

The Debate Over RTO and WFH: What the Research Really Shows

Despite headlines over the last year touting the full RTO of major corporations like J.P. Morgan Chase and Amazon, Nicholas Bloom the foremost expert on remote work and professor of economics at Stanford University, says the RTO trend seems to have already passed. Citing a recent study of more than 1,000 companies, he said “we asked them about their return to office plans, looking ahead a year, and 85% of them said they have no plans to change.”“The big data I’ve seen suggests there is not a major return to the office. I don’t think there’s going to be much major change outside of the government sector,” said Bloom. Some companies have been tying bonuses to office attendance to incentivize employees to come in, which Bloom finds ineffective. “There are only so many dollars you can give [an employee] for a bonus,” he said. “If you start to take away some of that from performance and put it onto days in the office, you’re just giving her less bonus for performance. 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Change Is Hard. What HR Leaders Can Do to Make it Easier and More Successful

One of the most significant and foundational opportunities HR leaders have is to empower frontline and middle managers through scalable tools, resources, and information, says Steve Arntz of Campfire. Leaders at this level may not have influenced the decision-making, but they do need to be able to effectively articulate the plans and guide team members through the process. “Middle managers are often the ones delivering the change, but they’re not the ones who have to make the decision,” said Arntz. “So what tools and resources can we give them to help them have honest, consistent conversations?”Change initiatives can leave employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. A cross-industry executive panel at From Day One’s Salt Lake City conference discussed how HR leaders can help streamline change in their organizations and improve the employee experience. 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Clear alignment with their goals will position you as an asset and illustrate your investment in the company. The ability to bring forward an authentic perspective from frontline employees can help build credibility. By proving with data that you have a purpose in that space, and use your strengths to influence and drive success. To advocate for business partners and frontline teams in the C-suite, it is also vital for HR to build trust with those teams, says Beck. Simply spending time with your partners to understand their daily workflow and the impacts of change can help build relationships and demonstrate that you’re there to help them thrive, says Cazier. It’s important for listeners to have hard conversations that support individuals and help align them with the organization’s strategic direction. The panelists also agreed on the importance of building a culture of accountability. Rather than employees first hearing about a change from HR, Harper likes to see leaders champion changes before rollout. Arntz urges people not to let business partners “hide behind HR.” They should communicate expectations to their team members and work through the performance management process before any handoff to HR.Relationships can also be leveraged to encourage bottom-up change. “Don’t wait for the C-suite to come to you,” said Beck. “Advocate for your team from the start—you’re a part of every change that happens in the organization.”Panelists spoke about leading through change at From Day One's SLC conference Cazier emphasized encouraging senior leaders to take an iterative approach to shaping change strategies: “Stress test it with team members. Run it by them. Get their feedback,” he said.Another opportunity lies in reviewing performance management processes, said Arntz. “Your performance management process sits at the center of all of it,” he said. “We take that for granted. We teach some behaviors and reward completely different ones—and that creates a system with no safety.”Change Management vs. Transition ManagementBeck takes a proactive approach to making change better for everyone around him. One key step is reframing “change management” as “transition management.” “Change is about the event—flip a switch, it happens. But people are not the same way,” he said. “Transition management is about navigating the ebb and flow of people’s feelings during a transition.”Change has a collective impact, but senior leaders do not always have the capacity to look at change from an individual perspective, says Arntz. Recognizing and leveraging team member strengths can help orient the rest of the team. In these situations, Arntz identifies and empowers results-oriented, relationship-oriented, and process-oriented people to support their team members during the appropriate phases of change.Harper recommends implementing feedback loops and modeling a solutions-oriented approach. “If you have feedback loops in place, knowing how to correlate that data to what matters to the executive suite is really important,” she said.Navigating Unpopular MandatesHR leaders also have a role to play in return-to-office mandates. “If the decision is based on real estate commitments, don’t pretend it’s for productivity,” said Arntz. “Just be authentic with your message.”Similarly, leaders must communicate clearly about emerging technologies like AI. “AI can’t take judgment from us—it needs us to operate it,” said Arntz. Harper added: “HR is in a unique position to prepare organizations to use AI in a way that enables our workforce, rather than replaces it.”Beck encourages a practical, human-centered approach: “Let AI do the good things, so we can focus on the best things,” he said. Meanwhile, Cazier noted that AI implementation presents an opportunity for HR to support not just tools, but people: “There’s plenty for us to do—not just help write emails or generate e-learnings, but also to help people navigate the changes hitting their world.”Jessica Swenson is a freelance writer based in the Midwest. Learn more about her at jmswensonllc.com.(Photos by Sean Ryan for From Day One)

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