You can’t do everything yourself. That’s a crucial lesson for anyone who runs a business. You need more than workers, more than team-members. You need leaders who can operate autonomously. Those who can be the independent driving force of different sections of your business. Your leaders should come from inside the company. They should be people who know how things work. Here, we’re going to look at how you pick those people and turn them into leaders.
Recognition
One of the most important parts of leadership is the ability to recognize that you can do it. However, not all the best leaders start off with that recognition. They don’t have to have a sense of ‘destiny’ about them. Instead, they can learn just how capable they are. One of the best ways of helping them learn that is showing them recognition in the office. It’s important that it doesn’t just come from you. Rather, use systems amongst their peers to show appreciation for good work. You know who your best employees are. Make sure they know it, too.
Communication
Leaders also need to be in-tune with the direction of the business. They need to be part of that direction. So you need to exercise the best kind of communication in the office. Host better meetings, for one. Get your employees to contribute. Aim for 100% engagement. Take turns in getting employees to address questions or concerns to the group. If they start showing that kind of thoughtfulness, they’re already thinking beyond themselves.
Teamwork
Thinking beyond oneself is what leadership is all about. It’s about looking at the team. So give your employees the chance to look at that team. Set up things like project management software that lets people overlook one another’s work. Keep an eye out for those who pay attention and look for solutions in the data.
Delegation
The above tips are going to help you and your employees start to recognize the leaders amongst the team. From then, it’s all about giving them the opportunity to prove themselves. Delegation is the key, but it needs to be effective. Don’t delegate responsibilities that should definitely be yours. When you delegate, make sure it gets appreciation, not resentment. Let them know the positive reasons you choose them and how you think it can help them. If it’s framed as upward development, people will be a lot happier about it.
Training
That upward development is something every serious employee looks for in their job. You don’t have to go the roundabout way of giving it to them, either. If you know the leaders you want, look into things like executive coaching. Help them to start to think like a leader, not just a team member.
Networking
Part of being a leader is being able to operate outside of the team, as well as inside it. It requires a degree of independence and even self-determination. It also requires charisma and good communication. Teaching employees how to network can help them build all of that. It’s also a skill they’re going to need if they’re to be able to operate without you holding their leash.
