Leadership development: getting the right structure, skills and focus to drive your plan

 

There is a saying that leaders are born and not made; but with an effective leadership development programme embedded in your business, it is possible for both to be true. 

Of course, some people are more naturally inclined to lead, and as recent reports have shown, not everyone wants to. But there are skills, behaviours and competencies which can be learned and enhanced to create effective leadership teams with the right blend of strategic vision, people-focus and drive. Leadership skills are as valuable to a first time manager as to a CEO or business founder, and can also help career progression and personal effectiveness.

The culture, productivity and effectiveness of the business starts with its leadership, making it critical for its long-term success. Great leaders inspire others to align behind common goals, they motivate and engage people, and they ensure the structure of the business is built to support future growth. It’s not easy – but it is possible.

What is a leader’s purpose? 

While there may be many interpretations of great leadership, one common factor tends to emerge. In effect, a leader’s role is to create a long-term, strategic plan for the business which creates growth opportunity, commercial success and self-sufficiency. Much like raising a family, the ambition of a leader is often to create a sustainable business in which they are no longer depended upon, and effective succession planning is based on exactly this principle.

Investing in leadership development is therefore an essential investment in the future of the business. Leadership development helps individuals to develop their natural strengths, increase their impact and influence to align teams behind a single vision, become more self-aware to help address challenges or development areas, handle conflict and unite teams, and to enhance emotional intelligence and compassion.  As that list demonstrates, this is not necessarily a quick or straightforward process, so having the right development plan in place over time is crucial.

What makes a great leader? 

In today’s business world, there are many characteristics considered to be consistent with good leadership. These include, among others, critical thinking, strategic vision, a growth mindset, humility, gravitas, impact and influence, excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence, compassion and authenticity. It’s no wonder leaders sometimes need some support and guidance to know where to focus and how to apply their skills to lead their business forward. 

Leadership can make or break an organisation. The responsibility is heavy, but the potential reward is immense: creating a successful, sustainable business which supports its people to thrive is a wonderful achievement, and one which contributes to the wider community as well as to the people within the business itself. 

Why every business should invest in leadership development 

Ongoing leadership development is an essential investment for every ambitious business. These are just some of the reasons: 

1. Fostering growth and adaptability: In a rapidly changing business environment, leaders must adapt to new challenges. A well-designed leadership development program equips leaders with the skills to navigate uncertainty, make informed decisions, and foster adaptability within their teams. These traits are essential for a business to thrive in a competitive market. 
2. Boosting employee engagement: Engaged employees are more productive and committed to the business’ goals. Effective leadership directly impacts employee engagement and the cultures which enable people to thrive. 
3. Talent attraction and retention: Leadership development is instrumental in retaining top talent. Talented individuals are more likely to stay with an organisation that invests in their growth and development. Your strategic people plan can help identify those people most eager and able to develop and progress, feeding into your longer term succession plan. 
4. Alignment with organisational goals: Creating alignment between your strategic goals and your people plan is essential for effective development as it highlights where the gaps and opportunities are. The right leadership programmes can then be implemented to deliver the most necessary competencies and behaviours to help deliver those goals.  
5. Cost efficiency: Developing leaders from within is often more cost-effective than hiring external talent. Knowing how to nurture and develop your internal talent pool is a valuable resource, so knowing you have access to effective development programmes internally is a powerful asset. 
6. Cultural investment: Leadership development programs can reinforce and propagate the organisation’s culture and help build safe working environments in which people can thrive.  

Which type of leadership development is right for your business? 

The specifics of which leadership development programme are right for your business are important, and will vary from business to business. A combination of personal and professional development is often advisable, helping to grow both the personal effectiveness of each individual as well as their technical, commercial and strategic competencies. 

For some, 1:1 leadership coaching can be beneficial, helping the personal and professional growth of the individual and helping them grow self-awareness and personal effectiveness. Team interventions are often a crucial ingredient, looking at the dynamics and effectiveness of the wider leadership team and how it integrates with and motivates people throughout the organisation.  

With a clear and consistent understanding of the business strategy and goals, it will be possible to create customised leadership development provision which supports the individual, team and wider business in its development and growth. It is almost always necessary to bring in specialist resource to access the most effective training and development programmes, which will all be addressed in your strategic people plan. 

Leadership goes beyond the business 

The leaders of your business are responsible for more than its commercial and strategic success. They also have a duty of care to everyone in the business, and the community in which it operates, to lead by example and foster inclusive and equitable cultures in which more people can thrive. Investing in leadership development is therefore more than a short-term approach to upskilling and equipping the senior team in the businesses of today: it is an essential investment in the leadership of tomorrow, and the legacy you are creating for the future wellbeing of your business and its people. 

If you would like to find out more about how a part time People Director can support your leadership team with coaching either individually or as a team, please call us on 0345 646 5201 or email [email protected] we would love to have a chat and see how we can help.