Raising Up Next Level Leaders
The question every leader is secretly asking themselves is, “Do I have the right people that can take our team to the next level?”
It is a fair question that sometimes haunts us, especially if we don’t know the answer. We all want to level up and grow our organizations, but at times are unsure we have the best people that can grow with the organization’s demands.
Your team is only as good as your weakest link. You can’t level up if the team can’t take you there. As a leader, you must always be assessing who can make the leap to the next level and who can’t. The sooner you can work on testing them, the better off you’ll be. You can’t afford to wait until it’s time to level up and then challenge them to do so. You must always be training them for the next level continually.
“Your team is only as good as your weakest link.”
~ John Barrett
Here are some things to think about:
1) Make The Next Level Clear
How can someone know how to level up their abilities and thinking if they don’t know what that means. Every organization has a unique culture and dynamic that is specific to them. Failing to clearly articulate the kind of behaviors and beliefs it takes to level up will surely keep them from ever doing it. You need to help them define what a next-level leader looks like, talks like, acts like, and thinks like. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be.”
2) Make The Next Level Challenging
Your team can’t grow into their potential without opportunities to do so. You must test them with projects, meetings, tasks, etc… that will help them develop into what they could be. Don’t hold back next level opportunities and expect them to get there magically. They have to have practice in order to be great. Test them by releasing some authority and responsibility to see how they do. Push them beyond their limits to see where their threshold is, you may be surprised.
3) Make The Next Level Attractive
Challenging your team can’t just be about giving them more work without the hope of a better future. No one wants to give more and receive nothing. You need to make the next level attractive by communicating the incentive. This may come in the form of compensation, authority, influence, value, etc… whatever the case, make sure the next level is somewhere they want to be. If your organization or department has no incentive to level up, don’t expect people to even want to. We reach for things we want…make sure the next level is something people truly want, and they will make an effort to get there.
I have coached hundreds of leaders to help level up their teams and would love the opportunity to help your team as well. Let me know if you would like to set up a FREE 20-minute call to find out more!
