Empowering Career Transitions: Ben Bergon’s Career Shift and Leadership Insights at Chobani
Navigating a career transition can be daunting, but Ben Bergon's journey at Chobani offers a roadmap filled with practical insights and inspirational leadership principles. Whether you're considering a career change or advocating for employee development within your organization, Bergon's story provides actionable steps and valuable lessons. Here are key takeaways from Ben Bergon's career shift from accounting to human resources and learning and development, along with leadership insights that can empower your career transitions.
Advocate for Yourself
Before initiating a career change conversation, demonstrate exceptional commitment to your current role through dedication, excellence, and a proactive attitude. Cultivate strong relationships with leaders and peers for smoother transitions. Be reliable, meet deadlines, and maintain transparent communication. Prepare for the conversation by outlining your reasons, goals, and how the transition aligns with the company's objectives. It should be tough yet honest, emphasizing clarity and alignment with your manager.
Leverage Leadership Support
Effective leadership goes beyond team needs to foster individual growth. Leaders empower employees in their current roles and support transitions to new roles, even if it means losing them from the team. At Chobani, the culture strongly supports employee growth. Align your career transition goals with your company's values and culture to gain support.
Embrace Talent Mobility
Bergon suggests achieving talent mobility through a formal talent marketplace or a culture that supports role exploration within the company. Volunteer for your desired team to showcase your capabilities and interest. Career progression involves broadening skills, gaining diverse experiences, and deepening expertise across roles. Establishing clear career tracks for both individual contributors and leaders ensures strategic alignment with strengths and interests.
Foster Inclusive Work Environments
Bergon stresses the importance of supporting LGBTQ employees. At Chobani, inclusivity goes beyond specific months like Pride Month, involving continuous team collaboration. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a crucial role in fostering belonging, reducing loneliness, and providing support and professional development opportunities, aligning with the company's commitment to all employees.
Lead with Curiosity and Empathy
Creating a learning culture means fostering curiosity and empathy. Leaders should encourage teams to ask questions, seek feedback, and pursue personal and professional growth, benefiting both individuals and the organization. At Chobani, leadership development includes behavioral science-based internal and external training. Implement similar programs for lasting impact and personalized learning experiences.
By embodying these principles, you not only empower yourself but also contribute to a culture that values and supports career development and transitions. Whether you're a leader seeking to develop your team's potential or an individual looking to make a career change, Ben Bergon's story provides a valuable template for success.
Be sure to listen to the full episode on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast!
Ben Bergon (he/him) is deeply passionate about helping others. He is currently a Sr. Manager of Learning & Development at Chobani, where he focuses on providing challenging and fulfilling career journeys through an employee driven, robust career growth and development framework. He spent the first chapter of his own career as a Certified Public Accountant working at KPMG and then at Chobani helping them prepare for an Initial Public Offering. His transition into Learning & Development was a product of his relentless pursuit of passion and purpose. He also leads the LGBTQ+ & Allies Employee Resource Group at Chobani and strives to continue to establish Chobani as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ employees.
Ben is also the Chairmen of the Board of Compassion Animal Project, a nationwide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for life-saving treatments for pets and helps keep families together. When he's not working Ben can either be found on a hike at a national park, a concert somewhere in NYC, in the kitchen cooking for family and friends, or playing fetch with his 'dog-like' kitten Grover.
Listen to the podcast episode here:
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