Institutionalizing Leadership Development

Businesses today, more than ever before need leaders that can motivate, mentor and inspire. As business landscape across industries becomes increasingly complex and competitive, excellent leadership in taking the right calls and guiding the organization through choppy waters is the need of the hour. The most effective business leaders can in fact foresee the change and lead the way through difficult transitions.

While many leadership skills come naturally, there are a host of other skills that have to be inculcated over a longer time horizon. On the part of organizations, this requires investing adequate time and energy in training and development of their top leadership. Since leaders have a unique role to play, the nature and goal of these trainings is completely different from other training interventions. Here are some of the most important reasons why leadership trainings can be so beneficial for organizations.

Better trained leaders are able to understand and assess problems, manage situations, and come up with effective solutions. Great business leaders can help employees unlock their true potential by giving them the right roles and responsibilities. They are able to rally employees and mobilize resources effectively to meet common business goals.

Studies cite that 75% people quit their jobs because of their manager rather than the job itself. Quite clearly, when it comes to instilling a sense of motivation or engagement amongst the workforce, top level leadership can be quite crucial. Creating highly motivating leaders requires investing in a number of human skills.

Leaders that motivate are generally more accessible to their employees and make communication a two-way street. Spending more time with employees, adjusting management styles to people, and acquiring feedback consistently are some great ways to build a rapport with the employees. Nurturing a highly motivated group of people who also trust their leader is the most ideal way to lead.

If there is one area of leadership that needs continuous honing and dynamism, it is change management. With businesses going in and out of challenging situations across the world, whether caused by a pandemic, an economic downturn or simply fast changing technology, leaders have to be able to foresee the change. They need to make sure the organization is shaping up well to adapt to the new business realities. Much of this will require managing resistance to change, creating coalitions to drive change, and assimilating new working styles in the organizational culture.

Leaders due to their legitimate authority and experience have the greatest opportunity to influence and strengthen organizational culture. Whether it is about creating a more people-oriented culture or institutionalizing greater use of technology, business leaders can have a far-reaching impact.

Often organizations struggle with a sense of purpose wherein their goals are not in alignment with the mission and vision. Or maybe the core values stand compromised after years of digression into the wilderness. In such cases, leaders can manifest the values the business stands for and had set out to achieve. They can not only help create a new business culture but also revive the core values and realign larger goals with the mission and vision.

Passing on the baton to future leaders in a timely manner is crucial for business continuity at every organization. Leaders often sit at a unique vantage point to have an eye for great talent for the future. Nurturing the right employees for leadership roles is necessary to ensure smooth and effective business succession. It is also a great way to motivate and retain the most deserving talent across teams.

Building leadership skills can go a long way in promoting effectiveness, efficiency, motivation, and dynamism in the organization. It is also crucial to help navigate uncertainties with greater elan and manage change for a better future.