‘Time is the only finite resource.’
Simon Sinek (https://www.startwithwhy.com/)
‘Many people are silently begging to be led.’
Jay Abraham (http://www.abraham.com/)
I had a friend ask me what I have learned since venturing out on this the next leg of my career and life. Two things come to mind:
- The desire and the need for leadership development are HUGE!
And,
- Time is the only finite stumbling block for advancing leadership development; resources and commitment are only excuses for not doing it.
Tips for leaders determined to overcome obstacles to leadership development
- If time is the issue: (read more about spending time with the right people)
- Add personal and organizational development objectives to the annual performance goals
- Add periodic review of progress to your calendar.
- Add talent-development goals to the leadership meeting agendas.
- Make to coach and counsel those who are struggling to develop their staff.
- If size and money are primary obstacles: (read more about your High-Performance people)
- Ask whether assignments are handed out, and resources are allocated with leadership development in mind.
- Explicitly factoring leadership development objectives into work assignments sends a powerful message
- On-the-job learning is a powerful driver of leadership development
- If lack of commitment from the top is the primary obstacle: (read more on getting results)
- Put leadership development on the front burner when senior leaders meet.
- Senior Leaders who persistently raise the issue and link leadership development to long-term strategy signal their engagement and set priorities for the rest of the team.
- Add leadership development to the board agenda at least once a year.
I know that commitment isn’t the issue with you, so if I can take money and time off of the table would you say yes to a leadership development program for your people!
