Creating a Healthier Environment Now

It is important for companies to create a healthy work environment where employees have the opportunity to learn not only industry specific skills, but leadership skills that will enable them to advance their career, if they choose.  If you work in corporate America, you have probably heard it, seen it, or said it…. “Companies promote individuals who are good at doing their job but aren’t good leaders.”  The questions is… what are we doing about it?

It is crucial for organizations to address this issue, for the long-term success and culture of the organization.  There are several strategies to tackle this challenge and develop better leadership practices.

  1. Leadership Development Programs – Train and cultivate leadership skills among high-performing team members.
  2. Assessment and Feedback – Gather feedback from supervisors to identify areas of success and areas for improvement.
  3. 360 Degree Feedback – Feedback from peers, subordinates and supervisors to identify leadership strengths and opportunities for growth.
  4. Clear Leadership Competency Framework – Outline skills, behaviors and attributes expected from leaders within organization.
  5. Promotion Criteria Modification – Include leadership skills and potential, along with job performance as part of promotion criteria.
  6. Mentoring and Coaching – Pair high-performing team members with experienced mentors who possess strong leadership skills. Encourage regular coaching sessions for team members to support them in developing leadership capabilities and growth opportunities.
  7. Leadership Workshops and Seminars – Expose team members to different leadership styles, successful leadership stories and best practices to inspire and motivate them to develop their leadership abilities (even without a leadership title)
  8. Succession Planning/Career Pathing – Establish a planning process that identifies potential leaders early to provide tailored development plans to nurture leadership skills and prepare them for potential future roles.
  9. Promote Growth Mindset – Cultivate a culture that encourages growth mindset, emphasizing continuous learning, development, and improvement. Embrace challenges and learn from failures.
  10. Transparent Communication – Clearly communicate expectations and requirements for leadership roles within the organization, including skills and behaviors that will be assessed during promotion evaluations.
  11. Accountability and Feedback Loop – Hold leaders accountable for their actions and behaviors. Establish a feedback loop where leadership effectiveness is regularly assessed, and constructive feedback is provided for improvement.

By incorporating these strategies, organizations can address the gap between job performance and leadership abilities, ensuring that individuals being promoted possess the necessary skills to lead and inspire their teams effectively.

Sams Fischer Professional Edge is ready to support your company in creating a healthy environment with great leadership practices.  Let us know how we can assist in developing your team members

Wishing you the best as you take your next steps toward having a Professional Edge.