Leadership begins before a promotion. In fact, identifying and nurturing future leaders should be seen as a key responsibility.
What exactly does that mean?
Hi! This is Chris, and identifying future leaders is the focus for this week.
Leadership is more than the ability to hit KPIs and other targets. Although the ability consistently complete projects on time and of high quality proves important, leadership is not based on solely on output.
We also need to mentor the next generation of leaders, and that means spending at least 10% of our time each week doing so.
So here are five qualities that I identify as must-haves in possible future leaders.
Take Initiative
Leaders take initiative. They look to not only solve problems but to also iterate existing processes for better efficiency and effectiveness.
- Are there people who take on new challenges beyond their scope of responsibility?
- Who doesn’t wait for directions, but instead takes initiative?
Take Ownership
Leaders are accountable for their team’s successes. They are also accountable for their team’s failures.
- Who owns their wins and losses?
- Who sees failures as opportunities to learn and grow, seeing each setback as a valuable experience?
- Does someone own their mistakes rather than shift blame or make excuses?
Pro point!: Discuss career goals!
A regular part of 1:1s should focus on the future, specifically what the direct report wants to achieve in the future. This gives you the chance to discuss needed skills for leaders.
Display Empathy and People Skills
The best leaders possess well-developed empathy skills. It seems as though they are able to magically read their team’s emotions and understand the struggles, challenges, and resiliency of each person.
- Does someone build positive relationships and demonstrate emotional intelligence?
- Is there a team member who practices empathy?
Possess Communication Skills
Leaders must communicate clearly, directly, and with authenticity. They must also influence others to collaborate with and support one another towards a common objective.
- Is there someone who engages in communication that fosters understanding among team members?
- Who handles difficult conversations with compassion and clarity?
Possess Innovative Thinking
Leaders need to be creative in order to meet new and unexpected challenges. They demonstrate a forward-thinking mindset.
- Who thinks beyond their immediate tasks and responsibilities?
- Who refuses to accept the status quo by asking questions and considering how existing processes can be made more efficient and effective?
Wrapping Up
It’s unfair to promote someone to a titled position without a foundation to lead the team. Leadership requires a whole new skill set, and it’s not just the person who struggles and suffers. The team does too.
These are a few points that get me thinking about who might have the potential to become a leader in the future. Coupled with a learning culture, I can then begin providing new challenges and opportunities.
Until next week, keep leading!