What do you do if you want to cultivate future leaders in your team?

Leadership opportunities should be open to all the employees of all cadres, these should not be for the selected group. Let the employees decide if they want to go the extra mile and enroll themselves in the program. This will remove the selection bias and bring out true leaders who can lead their respective teams in right direction.

Start giving them freedom and tasks to take independent decisions and you will notice them blossoming as a future leader. Hand hold them have regular meetings and keep on assigning challenges and shaking them from the comfort zone.

Identifying potential to create a new leader is a enjoyable process. Individual who are proactive in any activity with the ability to make decisions can make good leader . By making them lead initiatives of a certain group / pillar and encouraging them would go a long distance . Reward and recognise their contribution that way these individuals keep pushing themselves above and beyond

Give them responsibilities & opportunities. Observe, provide feedback (specific, timely & constructive) & groom. Recognize. Enhance further through a learning pathway. Make them visible - let their efforts be seen and felt. Make them heard - involve them in the decision making process.

Mentorship is a powerful tool that not only supercharges the mentee but also provides power to the mentor. I have seen leaders shying away from sharing their experiences and ideas. Rather they should interact with the mentees more often. This will bring a “oneness” in the organisation.

Offering leadership training is a practical and effective way to prepare team members for future roles. Implementing workshops, seminars, or courses that focus on developing essential leadership skills such as strategic thinking, communication, and team building is beneficial. This training creates a safe environment where potential leaders can learn and practice new skills, receive constructive feedback, and gain confidence in their abilities. It represents a valuable investment in both the individual’s growth and the organization’s long-term success.

Leadership certainly entails navigating challenges and setbacks, making resilience a crucial trait for future leaders. To foster this resilience within your team, encourage viewing failures as learning opportunities and persevering through adversity. Resilient leaders excel in adapting to change, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining a positive outlook, all essential qualities for handling the complexities of leadership roles effectively. Cultivating this mindset will prepare them well as they advance and take on more significant challenges.

Leadership does not come with titles or managing teams. Leadership is a trait which is developed through progressive challenges, continuous learning and the critical actions taken to navigate those positively within limited resources. Building leadership is a collaborative effort. While you can foster the right environment, team members also need a foundation for leadership by having basic common sense, take accountability, willingness to learn and impact positively. All you need to do is to simply encourage a culture of collaboration, accountability, transparency, learning and development with an entrepreneurial mindset within the team. You won't have to force it – they will step up and lead the way!

Leadership development/mentoring is a two way street. It’s more of a teacher student relationship which is perpetual in nature. A leader mentors a potential but at the same time he is been mentored by his teacher or guru and people he looks up to Leadership cannot be learned or transferred unless both the parties are ready and connected.

MFH, presents a straightforward, simple approach known as "Exponential-Plus-Three" strategy for generational progress. In essence: "As a Job-preneur (encompassing Entrepreneurs, CEOs & all), commit to nurturing 3 Associates to surpass your capabilities in 3-5 years, every 3-5 years. Also, pledge to equip them with the tools & mindset to replicate this cycle." Simple but not easy, it's about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and empowerment, where each individual strives not only to excel personally but also to uplift those around. Embracing the Exponential-Plus-Three strategy is about cultivating a community of dynamic Associates with leadership qualities who collectively drive sustainable progress.

Know what you represent as leader. By understanding how your behaviour, priorities, and values reflect your organization's leadership culture, you can be intentional about the skills, talents and behaviours you want to show and nurture. If you believe mentorship fosters good leaders, talk about your own menteeship and show how it makes you a good leader. By contrast, if you exhibit directive and assertive behaviour, be aware that no matter how much you think you nurture empowerment or consensus, you are unlikely to attract these types of leaders because your behaviour conflicts with what you say you need. When you look inwards and challenge your biases you can intentionally and visibly role-model what you want to see in leaders.