II would like to be a team lead! What’s next?
It is a valid and valuable desire – want to make next steps in the career, but do we really know clear, practical steps – how to do that?
Research
📍 Research reports a notable “ambition gap” – women are less interested or courage enough to apply to be promoted than men in this wave.
But the gap reduces when women receive career support that is structured with targeted activities.
//Lean In + McKinsey: Women in the Workplace 2025 (PDF) (Dec 2025 release; PDF accessible free): https://wiw-report.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Women_in_the_Workplace_2025.pdf
📍 Around 25% of employees report – they lack opportunities for career advancement, but nice that 63% say, that their organization does provide advancement opportunities.
Most satisfied with the job are those – with mentorship access. Distribution varies across different target groups.
//Gallup (Oct 16, 2025): One in Four U.S. Employees Lack Advancement Opportunities
Experiment
We made an experiment with digital twin of skills in Skilloom for growth of employee from AML analyst position, with previous experience in team lead in another company, to AML Team lead in the current company. On example of real person with it’s permission and initiative.
✅ Candidate was identified as perfect match with context in experience in all needed skills in the position.
But learning and onboarding assistants, after deeper analysis, advised:
1. Course: AI-Powered Software and System Design: https://lnkd.in/dE2QDuqc
As the position requires Proven ability to design and improve AML processes through technology, automation, and AI-driven solutions.
2. In onboarding: among attending meetings and learning to raise AI skills, it advised to identify external resources for leadership development – as coaching or mentoring.
It took just 5 minutes to have clear vision on next – targeted learning and onboarding activities, and here we go – higher self-confidence, clear steps and motivated employee for the company.
And of course, the main benefit – growth for the employee with clear direction and understanding – why should I learn that?
Project co-funded by the European Union.