Building leadership skills in your team is a great way to support their professional growth, resulting in improved performance and retention. It is even more effective when you combine the knowledge you share with action learning – on the job application of what you are teaching. By teaching skills and supporting their application in the workplace you will assist your staff attain their full potential, keep them engaged and motivated.
At Xseed Lead, we believe that assisting others to realise their leadership potential is critical. To help your staff reach their potential in a way that aligns with their inherent values and the culture of the company.
A skilled leader will help their team see challenges as things to conquer rather than permanent roadblocks. They will provide motivation for their team to take action while also providing insights, recommendations, and tools to support their professional development. The best teaching moments frequently allow for positive and negative feedback on attitudes, beliefs, approaches, abilities, assumptions, and methods.
Here are four strategies you can use to build the leadership skills in your team:
1. Create relationships
Successful leaders know that rapport building and establishing a connection are essential for establishing the environment necessary for your team members to be willing to be vulnerable in front of you, their boss. To help them take this step:
- Put your ego aside.
- Whenever possible, emphasise mutual interests.
- Actively listen when your team speaks.
- Look to understand what motivates and drives your team.
- Identify their dreams and goals.
- Mimic and emulate their demeanour, energy level, tone, and body language.
2. Be collaborative in your approach to problem solving
It is one thing to share leadership knowledge with your team members, but you also need to support them to apply this knowledge. One way to do this in a safe environment is to present issues for resolution to the team for collective problem solving. Rather than directing staff on the course of action to be taken, instead present the issue and guide them to think through the issues and reach their conclusion, giving feedback along the way.
By doing this you will teach them how to consider issues, and to learn through your feedback. With time this process will become automatic for them, growing their confidence and leadership skills.
3. Provide clear and timely feedback
When providing feedback to your team, be specific and timely. This includes talking about what the employee does well, what needs to be improved, and why the change is important for their professional development, you as their leader, and the company as a whole. This will help guarantee that they understand your feedback from the strategic through to operations level and can make broader changes that align to the specific issue at hand.
4. Make a plan of joint action
When building the leadership skills of your team, you need to have a plan of how you believe they will learn the necessary skills to grow professionally. It is critical for you both to agree on the strategy and desired outcomes. The most effective action plans typically feature 30, 60, and 90-day time frames to allow you both to focus on making changes and improvements over a manageable time. This is also long enough that measurable change should be achieved
Final thoughts
When you consider the people in your team that would benefit the most from increased leadership skills, what feedback on current work could you provide to demonstrate your interest in their growth and professional development? This is important to consider while managing your team, as it shows you care about their professional development and builds the rapport and trust needed to build leadership skills successfully.
This feedback can be offered in various methods, including one-on-one interactions, team meetings, or simply sending a quick email or message expressing your thanks. Whatever approach you use, ensure your feedback is clear and concise, so they know you care about their professional development and want to help them grow. The team at Xseed Lead enjoys helping others build their leadership skills.
Contact us if you would like support – for yourself or with your team.
Author Bio
Deborah Knight is the founder of Xsead Lead with a background in organisational and individual leadership and executive coaching.
As a coach, Deborah aims to create an inclusive and respectful space where individuals and organisations can do the work necessary for growth and change. She is also passionate about helping women be valued for themselves while also contributing and being successful.
Apart from her company which she is deeply passionate about, Deborah also loves bushwalking, reading, travelling, and learning new things.
For any coaching or organisational support enquiries Deborah can be contacted via email: info@xseedlead.com.au or via her company website which is www.xseedlead.com.au.
