Talent Management: Identifying and Developing Future Leaders

Qualities of future leaders

When looking for a new protege, not just anyone will do. What makes someone an excellent employee, doesnโ€™t necessarily make them fit to be a leader. Depending on your industry, leaders donโ€™t just need the skills to do their job well, like passing the NCLEX if youโ€™re in the medical field, but other traits like charisma, teamwork, and empathy for others. Identifying a future leader can be tough, but natural-born leaders have a few traits that inspire others to follow them. Those who make promising leaders should have at least a few of the following traits:



Visionary

Future leaders have a clear vision of the future. Their vision of the future is so powerful that it can inspire and motivate others around them to join them in their mission for a greater future. A future leader is able to see the big picture and set strategic goals to get there. They should be able to make difficult decisions and move through challenges effectively. 

Adaptable 

The world is constantly in flux, with industries changing every day. Future leaders need to be able to adapt to changes in the market as new information emerges. As circumstances change, a good leader is able to pivot while remaining realistic. They are also learning sponges, willing and able to learn new skills and apply them to their work. 

Emotional intelligence

Because leaders are looked to by their peers, leaders need to be able to understand and manage their own emotions, while being able to empathize with the feelings of others. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and make decisions that consider the well-being of their team. These skills are harder to develop sometimes than others, but with time and experience emotional intelligence in the workplace will be sure to grow. 

Integrity

Future leaders must also have a strong sense of ethics and integrity. A great leader is honest, trustworthy, and leads by example. Integrity builds trust and credibility amongst the leaderโ€™s audience, which is effective for harnessing leadership qualities. They are also able to take criticism and be honest with their performance and setbacks, which helps lead the way for growth and improvement.

Collaborative

While future leaders may have minds built for success, they canโ€™t do it alone. Future leaders need to be skilled at collaborating and bringing people together. Leaders should also be able to create an inclusive and supportive work environment. They should be able to leverage the diverse strengths of their team members and facilitate effective communication and cooperation. 

Problem-solving

Leaders should also possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills. A great future leader is able to analyze complex problems, identify creative solutions, and make informed decisions based on data and evidence. If a great leader is not able to solve problems effectively, they will be hindered by every inevitable obstacle that will come in their way. 

Strategic

A strategic mindset is a crucial skill for any leader to have. Being able to examine a situation and find the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities can bring success to the organization and the teamโ€™s goals altogether. This kind of quality also lends itself to creative approaches to projects and can help improve methods going forward in a deeply positive and engaging way. 

Empowering

A great leader should be able to encourage their team and help guide them towards success. They should be able to foster a culture of growth where everyone has the tools and guidance to complete tasks successfully and move up in their careers. A quality leader also can provide helpful words of encouragement to help their team members through project roadblocks and obstacles. 

Resilience

At some point, any leader faces challenges and setbacks. It is essential that leaders are resilient in the face of adversity. Resilient leaders bounce back from failures, use them as learning opportunities, and keep it moving. They also respond well to criticism and see them as an opportunity to sharpen their skills and improve their performance holistically. 

Tips for training the leaders of tomorrow

Co-workers talking

1. Be a mentorย 

After identifying your future leaders, ensure you work closely with them. As a mentor, you can provide guidance, share your knowledge and experiences, and help them harness and develop their leadership skills through regular coaching sessions. Answering questions and providing advice as a mentor will ensure that future leaders remain on track. On top of career advice, you can help provide them with quality advice on things outside of the workplace like time management and how to invest in gold or money so that they can be successful inside and out of their careers.ย 

2. Offer leadership development programs

There are plenty of programs for future and existing leaders to take advantage of. Design and implement a leadership development program tailored to the needs of your organization. These programs can include workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various leadership topics. These programs are also a great way for these future leaders to meet peers in the industry and network with experts within the field. 

3. Expose them to different roles

Offer your future leaders opportunities to gain exposure to different areas and departments within your organization. You can achieve this through job rotations, cross-functional projects, and temporary assignments in other departments. Experiencing diverse roles helps individuals develop a broader understanding of your organization and builds their adaptability. Many organizations also offer โ€œbuddyโ€ type programs where individuals in different departments can connect on a monthly basis and learn about the kind of projects each other is working on. 

4. Encourage continuous learning

By creating a culture of continuous learning, you emphasize the importance of personal and professional development. Provide your protege with relevant training programs, conferences, and seminars. You can also encourage them to read books, listen to podcasts, and take online courses to expand their knowledge and skills. Consider allocating time every month for your team to be able to take a learning course or seminar in order to foster learning even more. 

5. Provide collaborative opportunities

When molding your future leader, emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration in leadership training. Encourage them to actively participate in team projects, delegate responsibilities, and provide constructive feedback to their peers to help them develop their interpersonal and collaborative skills. These interpersonal skills are invaluable once these future leaders begin to lead a team of their own down the line. 

6. Assign challenging projects

Leaders often are left with the most challenging aspects of an organization few employees get to see. You should challenge your future leaders by assigning them projects that push their boundaries and require them to develop new skills. These stretch assignments provide opportunities for growth while building the employeeโ€™s confidence and resilience. Make sure to offer help and check-ins regularly so that no one feels overwhelmed by these challenging new projects. 

7. Foster a culture of creativityย 

Training a future leader also means encouraging them to think outside the box and foster a culture of innovation within your organization. Provide them with opportunities to explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and challenge the status quo. Support your mentee in taking calculated risks and help them learn from inevitable setbacks. Consider scheduling regular brainstorming sessions for your team to suggest and work out new ideas with each other. These kinds of meetings not only foster creativity with each other but help guide everyone towards a mindset of looking at everything differently. 

8. Promote self-reflection

Encourage your protege to engage in self-reflection and self-assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Utilize self-assessment tools, coach conversations, or provide structured feedback processes. Self-awareness is essential to personal growth and being an effective leader. 

9. Facilitate networking

You should also help your future leader develop strong professional networks, both within and outside of your organization. Encourage your mentee to attend industry events, join professional associations, and participate in networking activities. Building relationships with peers, mentors, and industry experts can provide valuable insights, opportunities, and support. Facilitating relationships inside and outside your company helps develop the employee’s charisma and empathy, and harnesses a loyal following of people who believe in your future leader. 

10. Lead by example

Finally, as a leader within your organization, you need to lead by example. Demonstrating the qualities and behaviors you want to see in future leaders is critical. This means being accessible, transparent, and supportive while showing your commitment to ongoing learning and growth.

Finding and developing your future leader

Remember, developing a leader is a journey that requires ongoing support, guidance, and investment. Before getting ready to choose your protege, ensure you can identify a few of the listed traits above. After picking your future leader, ensure you follow these tips to help them be the best they can be. By implementing these tips, you can enhance your leadership-building efforts and cultivate a pipeline of capable and effective leaders for the future.

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