{"id":7072447,"date":"2026-10-02T05:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7072447"},"modified":"2026-10-02T05:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:45:16","slug":"why-small-fish-bowls-lead-to-small-talent-pools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7072447","title":{"rendered":"Why Small Fish Bowls Lead to Small Talent Pools"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Carnival<\/p>\n

When I was a kid, our community hosted a carnival each fall. Every year, either my brother or I won a goldfish by sinking a ping-pong ball into a tiny cup. (In retrospect, it must have been traumatic for the fish swimming around in the cups; but for us, it was exhilarating.)<\/p>\n

Upon returning with our new treasure\/family member, my mother would pull out a small glass bowl and turn it into our fish\u2019s new home. In answer to our annual appeals for a larger bowl, she would explain that we needed to manage the size of the fish and that if we put it in a bigger bowl, it would grow and grow out of control\u2026 \u201cand we can\u2019t have that,\u201d she would say.<\/p>\n

This memory came back vividly this week after working with several groups of managers.\u00a0 Their organization wanted them to embrace talent development, create plans for each of their staff members, and actively help those around them grow. My job was to understand why this wasn\u2019t happening. So, the interviews and focus groups began\u2026<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf I develop my people, our other offices are going to raid my talent,\u201d<\/em> they would say (\u2026.and we can\u2019t have that).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cStart letting people know that they have potential to grow and their heads swell up\u2026they\u2019ll become unmanageable,\u201d<\/em> they would say (\u2026.and we can\u2019t have that).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cJust about the time I get employees operating really well, they head off to the competition for a few more dollars,\u201d<\/em> they would say (\u2026.and we can\u2019t have that).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Why Managers Hold Back Employee Development<\/h2>\n

Managers everywhere are protecting their talent<\/em> and proactively addressing potential ego and expectations problems<\/em> by keeping their people in small bowls.<\/p>\n

But small fish bowls lead to small talent pools!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The only thing more dangerous to the status quo than developing people\u2026 is not developing them. Remember that these glass bowls are clear. Employees can see what\u2019s going on elsewhere. And the aquarium down the street looks pretty attractive<\/a> to someone who\u2019s tired of swimming around in circles.<\/p>\n

Employees have development on their minds\u2026 whether managers raise the issue or not. And those people for whom it\u2019s withheld are likely a large portion of the 51% of U.S. employees who are watching for or actively seeking new job opportunities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the other thing. Managers who withhold development are left with small fish forever. Sure, they aren\u2019t growing talent and capability for the competition\u2026 but neither are they growing it for themselves or their organizations. They become stuck with a staff that\u2019s sub-optimized and less skilled. But at least those people aren\u2019t going anywhere else.<\/p>\n

The Risks of Keeping Talent in a Small Bowl<\/h3>\n

Successful leaders share a more constructive development mindset. They:<\/strong><\/p>\n