Once in a while, you will find a business unicorn. A team member who has leadership insight that seems to come naturally and effortlessly. We find ourselves equally impressed and inspired by their ideas and support. We wonder “Where did they learn to do that?” If you ask that unicorn leader the same question, they’ll probably share that training and intentional introspection helped them grow. In our organizations, we need to give our unicorns-in-waiting the opportunities they need to foster their leadership potential.
Develop The Leadership Pipeline
It’s important to keep an eye on the future of an organization and anticipate the need for leadership talent. Which departments are likely to experience shifts in the coming year? Are there developing teams that will need new leadership? You must develop and sustain a clear pipeline of leadership talent in your organization that is readily available to colleagues who are prepared to take on the challenge.
Invest in Your People
When you allocate money toward professional development, you give your teams the support that they need to discover best practices within their relative industries. When your teams are stronger and better prepared to handle challenges, your entire organization is fortified and better prepared to support your community. With a stronger foundation of trained professionals, your teams are better prepared to meet every possibility. Dedicating these monies to professional development makes this possible.
Foster Leadership
They may make it look easy, but those business unicorns don’t develop on their own. When someone is fostered with training and opportunities to hone the craft, leadership grows. When your leaders have both personal and professional growth, they are better prepared to bring their experiences back to their teams, thereby strengthening the entire organization. Giving leaders these intentional opportunities for training and growth is well worth the investment.
Consider the Entire Organization
It’s not uncommon for executive teams to see leadership training opportunities, but have you considered extending the same opportunities to potential leaders at every other level of your organization? Team members in middle and lower management stand to grow just as much as executives if given the chance. When you expand leadership opportunities to more people, not only will they become stronger, but they will also recognize that you see potential in them and be more committed to your organization.
Fostering leadership strengthens your community while also fortifying the infrastructure and flow of your organization. It is true that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” When you lift your leaders, you will see the myriad ways they grow your teams and the organization as a whole. It is worth the investment, and Arndt Municipal Support Inc. has the resources and experience to help you get there. Contact us to learn more about leadership training opportunities today!
