When There’s Nowhere to Promote a Star Employee

They’re one of your best people—a director who’s been instrumental to your success. They’re seasoned, strategic, and ready for more. But there’s nowhere for them to go. No opening at the executive table, no clear path up, and no lateral moves look promising either. How do you help someone find the next step when the obvious one doesn’t exist? What conversations should you be having? And how do you keep them from checking out in the meantime?