Development Through Production vs. Production Through Development

Two Leadership Philosophies: Development Through Production vs. Production Through Development

Leadership is the art of influencing and equipping others to reach their full potential. However, how leaders approach this process can make all the difference between a thriving, engaged team and a disengaged, struggling one. There are two distinct philosophies of leadership that shape how organizations grow and develop their people: Development Through Production and Production Through Development.

1. Development Through Production: The Reactive Approach

This leadership philosophy takes a sink-or-swim mentality—assigning tasks, setting expectations, and hoping that people figure things out along the way. Leaders who operate with this mindset often say things like:

• “Throw them into the deep end; they’ll learn how to swim.”
• “Let’s see if they can handle it before we invest too much time in training.”
• “If they want to grow, they’ll figure it out.”

While there’s some truth to the idea that experience can be a great teacher, this reactive approach often leaves people feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Instead of fostering confidence, it can lead to confusion, stress, and burnout.

The problem with this approach is that it assumes growth is automatic—that people will develop simply because they are doing the work. But experience alone doesn’t guarantee improvement. Without proper coaching, feedback, and guidance, people may develop bad habits, struggle with inefficiency, and fail to reach their full potential.

2. Production Through Development: The Proactive Approach

In contrast, production through development is a proactive leadership approach that prioritizes growth first, knowing that better people will produce better results. Leaders who embrace this philosophy:

• Invest in training and coaching before assigning major responsibilities.
• Help people get clarity and direction. They ensure that team members understand not just what to do but also why it matters.
• Provide ongoing feedback and mentorship to guide people toward success.
• Encourage continual learning and offer resources to help individuals develop their skills.

This approach identifies that the best way to increase productivity is to invest in people first. When employees are well-equipped, they work more efficiently, make fewer mistakes, and contribute at a higher level.

The Best Leaders Balance Both, But Lean Toward Development

There’s no denying that both philosophies play a role in leadership. At times, leaders must allow people to experience challenges firsthand, learning through real-world application. However, the key is to lean more heavily into production through development.

Why? Because when leaders proactively develop their people, they create a leadership pipeline. Instead of constantly reacting to problems, they build a team that is prepared, confident, and capable. This ensures that the organization doesn’t just survive but thrives.

How to Shift from Development Through Production to Production Through Development

1. Set Clear Expectations: Make sure team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and goals before throwing them into the deep end.
2. Provide Training & Resources: Equip people with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to succeed before expecting high performance.
3. Coach Instead of Just Delegating: Instead of merely assigning tasks, walk alongside your team members, offering feedback and encouragement.
4. Foster a Growth Mindset Culture: Encourage learning, experimentation, and the idea that development is an ongoing process, not just a one-time event.
5. Give Regular Feedback: People don’t improve without guidance. Offer constructive and encouraging feedback to help them refine their abilities.

Final Thought

Great leadership isn’t about choosing between these two philosophies; it’s about leveraging both while prioritizing development. If we focus on building people first, they will build the organization. When we develop through production, we risk high turnover, burnout, and inefficiency. But when we focus on production through development, we empower individuals, cultivate engagement, and create a legacy of strong leadership that will sustain success for years to come.

What kind of leader will you be?