There is truth in the old saying claims that leaders are made, not born. Not everyone is cut out to assume leadership duties, but many people can and do learn how to direct others in meaningful ways. A company can utilize several strategies to develop effective leaders in the organization.
Provide training.
Cultivating leaders from within the company is a proven approach to preparing suitable employees to take on a leader’s responsibilities. Training provides theoretical grounding and hands-on guidance to prepare and promote good leaders through the company ranks. In addition, these employees have the added advantage of learning and growing within the company rather than having to learn about the organization if hired from outside the organization.
Assign a mentor.
An experienced executive, even one who is retired, can be paired with a promising employee to provide business tips and mentoring. As the employee gains insight and experience, he or she will continue to evolve in a leadership development process for organizational needs. The mentor can share ideas and mistakes from the past that helped to develop him or her as a leader. Mentors also serve as springboards on which to bounce new ideas before discussing them with management.
Offer temporary leadership duties.
Following training, an employee who is preparing to become a company leader can be offered commensurate duties to determine his or her level of competence. A temporary position for another employee on leave or a part-time role as co-leader are the kinds of opportunities that test someone’s ability to lead within the company before assigning a permanent role for which that person may not be quite ready.
Recognize and reward excellence.
Employees who demonstrate leader-like qualities spontaneously or when solicited should be recognized for going above and beyond at a higher job performance level. Rewarding those employees can reinforce skills already learned and shared as business tips with other employees or to colleagues outside the organization, and may encourage further leadership development for future opportunities.
Good leaders can be made with the company’s support and experts’ guidance. The end result may be strong, dynamic, and well-prepared leaders with a vision for the company and the skills to lead.
