What do you do if you suspect an employee has untapped leadership potential?

If you suspect an employee has untapped leadership potential, it's important to first observe their actions, interactions, and performance closely. Provide them with challenging tasks or projects to assess their ability to take initiative, make decisions, and inspire others. Offer mentorship or coaching sessions to discuss their career aspirations and development opportunities. Encourage them to participate in leadership development programs or workshops to enhance their skills further. Regular feedback and recognition for their contributions can also motivate them to explore their leadership capabilities. Ultimately, nurturing potential leaders requires proactive support, guidance, and opportunities for growth.

Do you #genuinely believe in the Limitless Potential of your team? Leaders who do inspire greatness. Picture this: a leader who not only sees potential in their team but BELIEVES in it fiercely. These leaders aren't just bosses; they're the magnetic forces that make a workplace truly inspiring. Believe in your team, and they'll move mountains, and fulfil that potential.

Unlocking untapped leadership potential in employees is key for organizational growth. When suspecting such potential, nurturing it becomes paramount. Start by fostering open dialogue to understand their career aspirations. Offer mentorship, training programs, or stretch assignments to develop their skills. Encourage them to take on leadership roles in projects. Provide constructive feedback and recognition to boost confidence. Remember, investing in your employees' growth not only benefits them but also strengthens your team and company.

O líder pode observar o desempenho e o comportamento dos colaboradores em situa??es de trabalho diárias para identificar aqueles que demonstram habilidades de lideran?a, como iniciativa, resolu??o de problemas e capacidade de influenciar os outros. Revisar regularmente o desempenho dos colaboradores através de avalia??es formais e feedbacks pode ajudar o líder a identificar aqueles que se destacam em termos de competências de lideran?a, resultados alcan?ados e potencial de crescimento. Solicitar feedback de colegas de trabalho, supervisores e outros membros da equipe pode fornecer insights valiosos sobre as habilidades de lideran?a dos colaboradores e seu impacto no ambiente de trabalho.

If you suspect an employee has untapped leadership potential, take proactive steps to nurture and develop their abilities. Provide opportunities for them to take on leadership roles or lead projects, allowing them to showcase their skills and gain experience. Offer mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to help them grow and improve. Encourage them to participate in leadership development programs or training workshops to further enhance their abilities. Create a supportive environment where they feel empowered to take initiative and demonstrate leadership qualities. By investing in their potential, you can help unlock their leadership capabilities and contribute to their professional growth and success.

Encouragement and recognition are such critical leadership skills. Because individuals on your team are beating themselves up (we are so hard on ourselves), and being able as a leader to lift them up, to strengthen their self-esteem and provide continual, genuine appreciation, goes a long way in elevating their confidence, making them feel valued and appreciated. Once you have established strong trust and elevated confidence, they will seek and welcome your advice and coaching.

Give them exposure to leadership activities and the opportunity to lead low-risk initiatives with the right support. High potential team members benefit from understanding what the activities of a leader are. I've included team leaders and team members in my sessions with other Executives (with appropriate preparation), so they get more exposure to the thought processes of senior leaders and the contents of strategic meetings. If they're motivated to improve their leadership skills, stretch assignments are a good way to give them the experience of being a leader. By putting it into their development plan and providing them coaching and feedback, it accelerates their growth and gives them the confidence to take on more responsibility.

When I have encountered this scenario in the past I have had a conversation with the employee about their goals. I provide feedback on areas of improvement and offer encouragement on things they are doing well. I provide opportunities for them to step into a leadership role. For example, I may have them lead a group exercise or present information during a team meeting. I am careful not to add additional responsibilities that do not coincide with an increase in pay. I provide them with learning opportunities and encourage them to ask questions. Encouraging and supporting employees to move into a leadership role is good for organization and the employee.

When we think of empowerment, we often think of something a leader 'does' to someone. We imagine a leader giving power away. But this is not what happens. The best way to empower people is to help them see how much power they have within, to awaken their inner strength. "Empowerment is not about giving people power but reminding them that they already have it. It's the spark within, waiting to ignite a journey of self-discovery and achievement."

To foster a growth mindset in an employee with untapped leadership potential: Encourage Exploration: Encourage new challenges. Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback. Set Goals: Align goals with leadership aspirations. Offer Support: Provide resources and mentorship. Celebrate Effort: Acknowledge progress and effort. Embrace Failure: View setbacks as learning opportunities. Lead by Example: Demonstrate a growth mindset. Provide Learning Opportunities: Offer access to training. Create a Safe Environment: Encourage risk-taking and innovation.

Encourage them to take on leadership roles in cross-functional projects or initiatives where they can showcase their abilities and gain exposure to different areas of the organization. By providing diverse opportunities for them to lead and excel, you not only foster their growth but also demonstrate your confidence in their potential. This exposure allows them to demonstrate their leadership skills in various contexts, helping them build a strong foundation for future leadership roles within the organization.

Co-create! Invite the person for a longer than usual meeting (not because the time has to be used but to signal that this is Important to you so you’ve set ample time off in your busy calendar so as to not have to cut the flow in the conversation) and share your thoughts, without putting value on them. Engage your coaching skills to help the person reveal their own sentiments, positive and negative on the potential of leadership, and help co-create the best next step (having already a few ideas in your mind) plus which resources and what type of support they will need. It’s your job to make sure that leadership potential gets the best start it can!

Space. Space is such a powerful force. If you see an employee has untapped potential, step away. It is so important to give people space and recognise that ideas and solutions can come from anywhere. Space isn’t just good for the employees in question, but it’s also a competitive advantage for business. The more we believe in people, listen to them and give them the space and confidence to shine, we not only make people feel great, but we also encourage innovative solution generation, which can only be a good thing. If people are given the space, they will step into it. ‘Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.’ John C. Maxwell