Many business owners have the same thought about why a team member constantly needs direction. The harsh reality is that reason is usually down to one thing, you.
How often have you thought, if only this team member could deliver on this task, make a decision on this project or simply ? Yes, team members need to step up and earn their pay, but have you considered that one of your most essential duties as a business owner is your duty to develop the team working with you?
Making time out to build the quality of your team is a non-negotiable task for any business owner seeking to build an organisation designed to last. Therefore, your role must evolve from being a technical expert to being a leadership developer.
Here are a few tips to help you transform average team members into leaders.
Create a Personal Development Plan
Each team member needs to have a personal development plan. You need to have one for your SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and have them do the same to everyone who reports to them.
The personal development plan needs to have the following in it;
- You must set clear goals for each team member, and the goals should be reflected in their development plans.
- Activities: What activities is each person required to undertake weekly or monthly?
- There should be a resource or resources that every member of the team read/watches/ listens to monthly
- A lessons-learned report or a brief chat should be scheduled monthly for your team member to share lessons learned, actions adopted and insights from their learning resource.
Allow your SLT the opportunity to lead
Let your leaders or potential leaders lead. Allow them to lead meetings (especially when you are in the room). Have a plan for one of your team members to conduct regular weekly meetings from time to time. Meetings, events, client calls, and strategy sessions are some opportunities you can give them to lead.
Delegate Tasks and Authority
When you delegate a task, also delegate the authority they will need to complete the job and allow them to make decisions. Delegation needs to be clear. Share the task, expected outcome and insights about the task/project. Leadership can only be developed when they practice leadership daily. However, you should be available to support them as they execute the tasks.
Communicate Effectively
One of the most significant gaps in leadership development is communication. Be clear about your expectations and needs. Allow your team the opportunity to always come back to clarify any doubts that they may have. Ensure that your communication is clear and concise. As much as possible, always communicate in a format whereby anyone can refer to it. This might mean sending emails, chats or recording meetings. Your team members need to be able to revert to your instructions and thoughts wherever they are stuck.
Share Information Generously
Have a repository of information for reference purposes— A system whereby anyone that needs more insights into how things are done can easily access and learn. A repository will save you time as you transform your staff into leaders.
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