The Right Way to Implement Stretch Assignments

Stretch assignments can accelerate career growth—but new research shows they don’t benefit all employees equally. In a study of early-career engineers, men and White or Asian employees were more likely to see these projects lead to raises or promotions, while women, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander engineers often did not. These disparities weren’t linked to skills or effort, but to unequal recognition and reward. To build a more diverse leadership pipeline, organizations must treat stretch work as a strategic talent tool—clarifying expectations, tracking who gets and benefits from these opportunities, and ensuring recognition is equitable across teams and identities.