***This article is inspired by chapter 5 of John C. Maxwell’s book
“Developing the Leaders Around You” – “The Leader’s Daily Requirement: Equipping Potential Leaders” ***
In order to develop a leadership culture, you must develop your followers to reach their full potential. While they have a personal responsibility to do what they can do, it is critical that their leader does the work of equipping them for success each day.
While there are various components of equipping, the key is consistency and intentionality. Becoming an equipping leader is a skill that can be mastered over time like any other skill. The key is to start and then keep doing it daily until it becomes natural and automatic.
Consider John Maxwell’s 3 keys to effectively equipping your potential leaders:
1 – Model
While everyone can learn on their own initiative, we all go farther faster when we have a model to see and learn from. Your potential leaders’ growth and success can be multiplied and expedited if you will choose to be a model for them of what you desire for them to produce. The first step in effectively equipping your followers is sometimes called the “I do, you watch” phase. Let them see you in action. Have them observe how you work and what you do. Show them the ropes.
2 – Mentor
Beyond having them observe you, step into the mentoring role where you intentionally and consistently sit down with them to help them. Allow them to ask questions and learn from your experiences. Availability is the key to being a valuable mentor. Your followers will run into problems, obstacles, and challenges. They will also have opportunities presented to them that they are unsure of how to move forward. They need someone who has “been there, done that” before to help them make wise decisions. If you want to have a strong team of future leaders, you must commit to being an available mentor who shows them the way forward in real-time.
3 – Empower
While many leaders excel in giving clear objectives and writing concise job descriptions, many fail to truly empower their followers. Empowerment occurs when you do the consistent up-front work of modeling and mentoring, then give your followers the freedom to work without micromanaging them. Micromanagement is one of the most demotivating things any leader can do to their followers. Empowerment comes by giving responsibility with appropriate accountability and freedom of expression. Your followers will likely not perform tasks exactly how you would, but that’s okay! Focus on the outcomes, not the exact steps along the way. Tell them you trust them and believe in them to accomplish the task or project at hand. If you don’t trust them, then you must go back to modeling and mentoring. Provide more or better training. Take responsibility as their leader to set them up for success.
Equipping potential leaders is not difficult, but it does require intentionality. It requires patience and discipline. It requires an up-front investment of time and resources in order to result in long-term benefits. If you want an all-star team of future leaders, you must commit to equipping them for success today.
Are you willing? If so, then begin (or continue) the process today.
Until next time…make today GREAT!
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