and creating a collaborative , leader-rich environment . If other businesses are trying to refocus their professional development efforts , here are the 8 tips that helped revolutionize our approach to leadership at Steel Plus Network :
1 . INVEST IN MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
To get returns from leaders , you have to invest in them first . Mentorship programs can be used to give young leaders a look into the roles they are working toward or even help seasoned leadership experts stay relevant in growing environments . Whether the mentee is just starting their career or has a few decades under their belt , participating in a mentorship program opens up honest feedback channels , helps employees build relationships with one another , and creates a feeling of long-lasting support .
2 . PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES
For the first time in years , employees are becoming less engaged at work . They are feeling more disconnected from their daily responsibilities , and many don ’ t see job opportunities ahead that they are excited about . By providing new job opportunities and professional challenges , employers can boost engagement numbers and reinvigorate how existing employees feel about their daily tasks . It doesn ’ t have to be only promotions or job title changes , either . Side projects , employee resource groups , and other internal opportunities can be enough to change how someone feels about the impact they are having and their future goals .
3 . WORK TOGETHER TO DEFINE GOALS
If employees are only working toward goals that have been defined by their superiors , they are less likely to reach targets and exceed the outlined goals . Instead , all people leaders should be collaborating with their employees to understand individual professional aspirations and form goals that are aligned with those aspirations . While some business-related targets may be nonnegotiable , other goals can be customized to inspire , engage , and excite employees .
4 . INCREASE MANAGERIAL EXPOSURE
Professional development often comes with increased managerial duties , but if leaders aren ’ t prepared for management , everyone suffers . The business results may be impacted , teams will feel stressed , and budding leaders will flounder . Instead , early leaders should work with summer interns or individual new hires before taking over the leadership of an entire team . When we started focusing on preparing our people managers just a bit more , our business performance improved and our employees were happier overall .
5 . CHALLENGE LEADERS TO SPEAK OR PRESENT IN LARGE FORUMS
Standing in front of a professional audience and keeping the attention of a crowd can be crippling for some people . In the business world , leaders need to be able to stand at the front of a room , clearly communicate an idea , answer audience inquiries , and command the attention of everyone in the room . It takes training , practice , and refinement to become a great presenter , so it ’ s best to get leaders exposed to it as early as possible . Practice presentations , small audiences , and peer feedback gathering are all great ways to develop public speaking capabilities in any organization .
6 . FOCUS ON SOFT SKILLS
In 2017 , Deloitte estimated that by 2030 , “ soft-skill intensive ” jobs would account for two-thirds of all jobs on the market . The increased need for teamwork , problemsolving skills , and open communication are just some of the ways in which the job market has placed an emphasis on soft skills . By ensuring leaders understand empathy , leadership , and related soft skills , you are teaching them to tap into critical leadership capabilities that will make their future teams more cohesive and successful .
7 . CURATE REGULAR NETWORKING EVENTS
When you become a leader , so much of your responsibilities center around being well-connected , working in cross-functional settings , and understanding how your role impacts other roles in the organization . Company-wide networking can break down existing silos that exist in your organization and help leaders step into “ big picture ” thinking when it comes to strategic planning .
8 . OFFER SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
Every person — no matter how they contribute to your organization — will falter and make mistakes . An environment of support will be a major reason that leaders continue to try after making a mistake . Whether it ’ s the perspective of a close mentor that helps solve a leadership problem or a training seminar on how to conduct executive pitches , built-in support is crucial on every leader ’ s journey .
Your organization is as valuable as your most effective leaders . By investing in rising stars , providing support to existing leaders , and shining a light on how to develop professionally , your organization will create a culture that thrives on continuous learning , collaboration , and creative problem-solving . With an adaptable and strong foundation of leaders , an organization ’ s potential success is limitless . We noticed a difference in how our business was running when we started to focus on leadership development , and now , with these tips , you can experience the same benefits . +
Credit :
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• research . com / careers / leadership-training-statistics
• www . forbes . com / sites / forbeshumanresourcescouncil / 2022 / 08 / 03 / developingexceptional-leaders-helps-attract-andretain-talent /? sh = 797e4f047fd3
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