Kirstin on Fullback and Friends:  This is so true, and the way I personally manage this and encourage my colleagues who I line manage, is set up a yearly career plan that you can be working on in the forms of research, using colleagues as mentors, learning experiences outside of work, and networking to start thinking about progression, in-house training, job secondments and professional qualifications.  It is always good to have a variety of development ideas long-term, short-term that cover a range of financial costs.  This will always help with your annual pdr’s and fingers-crossed your employer will be more open to financially supporting these requests. 

  http://careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog/leaders-need-create-roadmap-to-boardroom-success