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Leadership development is important for every business. It improves productivity, innovation, employee engagement, and customer retention and reduces employee turnover. A structured leadership development plan highlights how a company intends to train and help employees hone their leadership skills. 

In most cases, leadership development occurs in a formal classroom setting. However, individual leadership development plans, such as reflective journaling, coaching, and constructive feedback, are also effective. Implementing a leadership development plan helps businesses avoid the leadership gap that occurs following the unavoidable retirement or step down of current leadership. 

Below are a few tips for creating a leadership development plan. 

  1. Evaluate your business goals and needs

Identifying business needs and goals is crucial to creating a leadership development plan. This essentially involves identifying leadership qualities that can benefit your organization. Knowing what type of leader your company needs should be a priority. You should ask yourself the following questions:

  • How many leaders does your company need?
  • Are there notable gaps that need improvement?
  • Which strategies work well for your company?
  • How will the new leaders commit to organizational goals?
  1. Consult your employees

Employees play a key role in determining the success and productivity of the company. Therefore, you should ask for their perspective on leadership. Ask them what they want or looking for in a leader. They can help you identify leadership strategies that are working or not working in your organization. Taking their input can help you design an effective leadership development plan. 

  1. Define the type of leaders your company needs 

You should also define the type of leaders your company requires. For this, consider reviewing key business objectives and how they can be achieved. Below are a few tips to consider:

  • Create a detailed list of the skills you expect to see in leaders that fit your company profile. 
  • If one of the departments requires better leadership, create a different profile for the department.
  • Assess your current level of leadership. Use emails, anonymous tips, and feedback from your employees. 
  • Create a list of employees who are talented enough and interested in management roles.
  1. Identify the best method of development 

As mentioned, leadership development was traditionally hinged on formal programs. While they are effective, you should consider other leadership training methods, such as mentorship programs, working groups, and task forces. You should also choose between conducting in-house training or hiring a third-party company. 

Conclusion

Around 77% of companies struggle with leadership gaps. This explains why 89% of company executives agree that strengthening leadership development should be a priority for most companies. Having a leadership training plan can help your company mold successful future managers.

Leadership development is critical to any business looking to retain its top talent. Employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions and are more likely to stay with the company. Leaders who invest in their team’s development create a positive work environment that fosters creativity and productivity. By providing opportunities for growth and professional enrichment, businesses can keep their best employees motivated and engaged.

Leaders Are Not Born, They Are Made

Anyone can be a leader, regardless of age or experience. This is something that Gen-Z small business owners have learned from a young age. They are used to working outside of conventional hours, even on vacation. In a recent report released by the Microsoft store, A survey of 1,000 small business owners in the United States with 0 to 24 employees confirmed that 48% of Gen-Zers also have side hustles than 34% of the other generation.

A whopping 64% of Gen-Z confessed to conducting at least half their business on their phones, as opposed to the already high percentage of 48% from all age groups. These experiences have taught them that leaders are not born but made. Anyone can be a leader if they have the right skills and attitude. All it takes is a willingness to learn and the ability to adapt to change.

Exceptional Leadership

It’s often said that three qualities make up an exceptional leader: vision, integrity, and the ability to inspire others. A leader with vision can see the big picture and articulate a clear and compelling direction for their team. They possess a strong sense of integrity, which allows them to gain the trust of others. And finally, they can inspire others to achieve great things.

To ensure that your leadership team is set up for success, you need to:

  • Have a clear and concise vision for your business
  • Build a team of individuals with complementary skill sets
  • Create a culture of openness and transparency

Elements For Changed Leadership

Change leadership and talent development are two interrelated topics. Leaders need to be able to drive change within their organizations and have the talent to make that happen. Talent development is about creating a pipeline of future leaders who can step up and drive change when needed. Four fundamental elements create change leadership and also drive talent:

  • A clear vision for the future. Leaders need to be able to articulate where they want their organizations to be in the future, and they need to have a clear plan for how to get there.
  • The ability to build consensus. Change leadership requires the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
  • The courage to take risks. Leaders need to be willing to take risks to achieve their vision.
  • The skills to develop talent. Leaders need the skills necessary to identify and develop talent within their organizations.

Leaders are not born, they’re made. Anyone can learn the skills necessary to be an effective leader with the proper training and development. Exceptional leadership results from taking the time to understand yourself and your team, setting clear goals, and providing the support employees need to succeed. If you’re looking for ways to develop changed leadership in your organization, start by considering these essential elements, and before you know it, talent retention will be your thing.