One of the things that defines what a Leader is – is the notion that they have Followers. However, if you work in an organizations that truly wants to grow and thrive, that will not be enough. Effective Leaders also need to be able to find and develop new Leaders.
Granted, not everyone can be or should be a Leader, there are some things that Effective Leaders do to produce the next group of Leaders:
Talk – Effective Leaders tell others about the experiences they have had and what they have learned from the successes and non-successes that resulted.
Coach – Effective Leaders provide feedback and opportunities for guidance and direction so others can learn with someone helping along the way – rather than waiting.
Train – Effective Leaders review the strategy planning required and the skills needed to insure strategy success. They provide opportunities for management development programs where budding leaders can develop critical skills and they support the application of what they’ve learned back on the job.
Mentor – Effective Leaders are the touchstone for potential leaders. They provide the support needed to risk successfully.
Above all else, this requires the most precious commodity: TIME. To grow and develop the next group of Leaders, actual time must be set aside to teach, show by example, and discuss how leading is actually done. Very few people learn leadership well by being tossed into the leadership waters to see if they can swim. And not everyone that has that kind of leadership experience survives it! The best and most Effective Leaders spend a significant amount of their time developing the leadership skills of others rather than looking how best to develop their own career.
Think about if whether you are a true Leader, or just someone who is eager for followers. Your employees already know which one of those you are.
Joni Daniels
is Principal of Daniels & Associates, a management consulting practice that specializes in developing people in the areas of leadership and management, interpersonal effectiveness and efficiency, skill- building, and organizational development interventions. With over 30 years of experience, she is a sought after resource for Fortune 500 clients, professional organizations, higher education, media outlets and business publications. Joni can be reached at http://jonidaniels.com
