Finding Hidden Leaders in Your Team

Have you discovered the hidden leaders on your team?

They are there. They chose your organization because they are committed to its mission. Identifying these prospects from within is crucial for retaining talent and maintaining a strong leadership pipeline.

The following is a starting place to recognize your future leaders and potential newest managers.

Define Leadership – In order to identify the right people to lead your teams, you must know what leadership means at your organization. Take time and create your definition of leadership. This effort will guide your process and serve as a filter to decrease bias and distraction.

Observation – Observe your team members in action in different circumstances. Who on the team shows up and responds positively and consistently in calm and emergent situations? Look for individuals who naturally:

• Take on leadership roles.
• Show initiative and follow-through.
• Demonstrate clear communication.
• Recognize and regulate their emotional responses.
• Apply successful problem-solving skills.

Performance and Impact – Ensure you are providing your team with meaningful performance evaluations that get at their ability to execute on goals and desire for life-long learning. This includes the impact they have on the team they serve and the organization. Look for:

• Consistent high performance.
• A sensitivity to people and their needs.
• The ability to handle challenging situations and adapt to change.
• Good independent decision-making ability using critical thinking, empathy, data, and experience.

Leadership Skills – Identify those with innate ability to lead. Is there a high performer who is inspiring and influencing their colleagues positively? Look for:

• Effective motivation of others.
• Successful delegation.
• Clear communication.
• A team player who initiates and responds positively to collaboration.
• Humility and appropriate vulnerability.

Also, be sure to talk with other trusted colleagues who know and work with those team members who rise to the top of your list. This provides a check and balance on your biases and perceptions.

Identifying and recognizing potential leaders and your next manager candidates from within requires detailed observation and a clear understanding of how your team defines leadership. This investment of time and energy will pay off in a strong leadership pipeline that will benefit your organization in the long run.