Growing Leaders Who Lead
“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” ~Harvey S. Firestone
As a leader, growing and developing your front-line leaders is vital to you and your organization. Organizations now require leaders who not only have skills to do the work but bring with them the ability or the desire to learn how to teach the skill, give directions and lead the charge.
And it all begins with communication. Communication is the cornerstone of leadership in just about any industry. To grow and develop your front-line leaders begins with having them recognize the power of effective communication on the job and how to become better communicators. To excel, front-line leaders must prioritize clear, concise communication. Listen actively to understand team needs, fostering an open-door policy for feedback. Repeat instructions and have the team write it down or repeat it aloud.
A second communication component is being able to simplify complex information and instructions to ensure clarity in the tasks and goals. Great front-line leaders may utilize visual aids when needed and promote face-to-face interactions to strengthen interpersonal connections. Training both in the field and around the tailgate is vital for direct learning. As leaders we need to embrace both verbal and non-verbal cues to convey messages effectively.
Lastly, great front-line leaders always lead by example by being approachable, transparent, and responsive. By honing their people skills, front-line leaders can inspire a cohesive team, driving success and understanding in the field. Teaching leaders to be conscience of their facial expressions, body language and tone of voice helps them be successful.
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” ~Simon Sinek
Focusing on helping and growing leaders who lead is simply good leadership.
Keeping weeding by example!
Jeff McManus
(Image credited to Eco Life. Link in footer.)
