Skilled Migrant Professionals Winter 2015 | Page 22

Motivation EVALUATE YOUR OWN LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL By Marlene Ward M anagement development is an important and accepted activity within organisations that consider leadership as a very important condition for their success. Talent development is now even considered as a ‘mission-critical’ company process. ‘High Potential Talent’ is seen as a strategic company advantage, and in successful companies; management development has been incorporated into their business cycles. My many years of training have highlighted a number of signs/behaviours that indicate when a person has the potential for leadership. Here is a checklist. You might choose to rate yourself or ask your manager to rate you. As a prospective leader are you……. Can You Be a LEADER? 1. Able to accept delegated authority? This characteristic is very much sought after in leadership selection. Do you have the ability to accept a job, handle it, and complete it alone or with limited supervision? Do you have the know-how to perform a delegated task, something outside the routine of daily responsibilities? 2. An informal leader now? Do you lead by example? Even though an ‘eager beaver’ type, you do not offend fellow workers with your leadership style. Because of this acceptance by others, you become a team builder and an unofficial leader of the group. Others look to you for advice and assistance. 3. Loyal to the organisation? Loyalty is dependability, achieving assigned tasks, and a general respect for your organisation. While able to identify problems in the organisation, you take pride in bel ۙ