Leader Development: Who Is Responsible for It?
Leadership isn't something someone can learn overnight. It takes a lot of hard work, mentorship, and guidance to achieve success. So who should be responsible for honing leaders? In this episode, Andrea and Michelle discuss the important role mentorship plays in honing your skills to become a successful leader. Whether you are leading a team or developing yourself as an individual leader, the key to success lies in understanding the art of leader development.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
Expand Your Leadership Skills.
Leader Development: Who Is Responsible for It?
Who is responsible for leader development in your organization? Does your company have the resources available for this kind of development? And, does your team take ownership of their own development?
In this Leadership Hustle Podcast episode, Andrea Fredrickson and Michelle Hill talk about leadership development and why it should be a mutual responsibility of individual contributors and group leaders, as well as how you can create a culture of leadership in your company.
Leader Development Is Mutual Responsibilities
Your business is formed from three main pillars: individuals, managers, and organizations. The interplay between these three elements is key in shaping the trajectory of the company.
However, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the concept of leadership development as a mutual responsibility between these three pillars. The path to a resilient organization ultimately lies in this shared accountability.
The idea of leadership being a shared responsibility is not just a notion; it is a powerful strategy execution that can transform your organization. As a leader, you must understand that leadership is not confined to a select few sitting in the boardroom. Instead, it is a quality that should be nurtured and encouraged at all levels of the organization.
Senior leadership needs to pave the way by establishing a clear process for growth and innovation. This includes setting up leadership development programs, mentoring initiatives, and continuous learning opportunities.
The responsibility does not end here; every individual within the organization needs to actively participate in a shared responsibility. How can we ensure everyone is taking part? Well, by creating a strong culture of leadership and providing resources.
Leader Development Resources
Leadership is not a trait that one is simply born with; it's an art that is honed and perfected over time. It requires mentoring and, above all, the right resources.
What Are the Resources People Can Use to Develop Their Leadership?
Partnerships and Experts Collaborating with experts in leadership development can open doors to a wealth of knowledge and experience. These partnerships can provide tailored training programs, workshops, and coaching sessions that can empower your team members to grow as leaders.
Learning from Conferences Industry conferences bring together thought leaders, innovators, and experts who share their experiences, strategies, and success stories.
Encouraging your team members to attend such conferences can provide them with invaluable insights. They get the opportunity to learn from the best in the business and bring back those learnings to implement within your organization.
Cultivating a Leadership-Driven Culture An organizational culture that encourages leadership is perhaps the most valuable resource an organization can have. Nurturing such a culture starts with you. Set the tone by demonstrating what good leadership looks like.
Subscriptions to Learning Platforms The world of learning has expanded beyond traditional boundaries. Today, there are numerous online platforms that offer comprehensive courses on leadership development.
Consider investing in subscriptions for your team members. This gives them the flexibility to learn at their own pace and choose courses that align with their specific leadership goals. Investing in these resources is not an expense; it's an investment in the future of your organization.
Internal Marketing of Leader Development Resources
Resources for leadership will be pretty much useless if people don't know about them; that's why it's important to promote these resources internally and make people want to use them.
Build awareness about the resources available in your company; this can be done through internal channels, such as newsletters, team meetings, emails, or workshops.
Also, having senior management endorse and actively participate in these programs can significantly boost the visibility and credibility of these resources.
What Can You Do To Improve Leadership?
As a leader, what can you do to keep developing your team's leadership further? Leadership is also about empowering them to take charge and make decisions. Here's how you can do this:
Conduct Regular One-on-Ones One-on-ones are an excellent opportunity for leaders to understand their team members better, address any concerns, and provide guidance on how they can take accountability and ownership.
Provide Constructive Feedback Feedback is a crucial part of development. It helps individuals understand their strengths and areas that need improvement. However, the key is to ensure that feedback is constructive and actionable. Remember, the goal is not to criticize but to help your team members grow and improve.
Encourage Leadership Encouragement can go a long way in boosting morale and building confidence. Celebrate wins, no matter how small, and remind your team members that their contributions are valued and appreciated.
Start Leader Development Today Leadership is not confined to a position or a title; it's a mindset that every team member, regardless of their role, should adopt. Whether you're an individual contributor or a manager, you have a responsibility to take the initiative, contribute ideas, and seek continuous improvement in your work.
Need help implementing a leadership development strategy in your organization? Contact Revela Group today for tips and leadership mentoring.
About the Hosts
Andrea Fredrickson
Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.
-
Andrea has degrees in education, management, and business. She is the author of Insight Unseen; How to lead with 20/20 business vision. She helps people see things differently, self-reflect, and never stop looking for ways to improve themselves on a personal and professional level. Andrea has spent more than 30 years researching and developing methods to help people communicate and lead more effectively.
When Andrea isn’t working with clients, you’ll find her spending time with her family & friends and making memories by exploring new cities.
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness.
-
An ambitious leader, Michelle has the natural ability to create forward momentum to build teams and get results. She inspires others to look within themselves and to challenge the status quo. She helps create high-performing environments. Michelle brings a diverse background: operations, employee development, and sales in the steel, hospitality, and consulting industries.
Outside of work, you will see her competitive side engaged in her daughter’s sports and ISU athletics. She loves life, her four-legged companions, and captures all the moments through her camera’s lens.
TRANSCRIPT
Andrea Frederickson: On this episode of The Leadership Hustle, we'll talk about the confusing question about who's responsible for leader development. Hello and welcome to the Leadership Hustle. For executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready. All right. Welcome back to the Leadership Hustle for this next episode where we're going to talk about this confusion between who's responsible for leader development.