Are You An Intentional, Committed and Supportive Leader?
Ashish (Ash) Merchant
Executive Coach, Leadership Advisor, Speaker, Connector of People
Last week, I had a wonderful opportunity to attend graduation day for the Leadership Academy cohort of Coca-Cola Consolidated . This group represented the potential future VPs and senior leaders of the organization.? Graduation day included presentations from four project teams who addressed the most pressing business challenges through their strategic recommendations and ideas on how to run the business better. As a program faculty member, I was incredibly impressed and proud of the projects presented that day.?The future is bright and hopeful with this team.
What I found equally impressive was the high level of executive engagement from the senior leadership team. Not only did these executives show up and participate in graduation day activities, but the C-level leaders also hosted smaller group dinners the night before as a show of appreciation and acknowledgement of this high potential team.?
Additionally, each executive team member served as a sponsor for one of the team projects throughout the year and advised teams on how to strategically think about these challenges. ?
The words that kept resonating in my head coming out of that experience were intentional, committed and supportive. I’ve been a participant in or contributor to these types of programs in the past and, usually, have not seen this level of visible commitment and intentional behavior from the entire senior leadership team.? Take note, this is not a small company, it is one with around 17,000 teammates.?
My challenge to all executives across the US and the world - take your high potential programs seriously, no matter how large or small this group is in your organization.?Words matter - actions matter even more.
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How can you model this in your organization?
The common refrain from today's C-suite is? “people are our greatest assets.”?
Ask yourself - are they really? How do we show them that they truly are our greatest assets? What, specifically, am I doing today to pour into the next generation of leaders? ?
Build time and space into your calendar to make it happen for your future senior leaders - you'll be glad you did!
Experienced Chief of Staff with exceptional hard and soft skills to work across, leverage, and motivate teams to achieve optimal outcomes.
1 年Thanks Ash. You always elevate important and timely topics.
Mission-Driven Strategic CFO | Board Director | Lifelong Teacher and Learner | Mom (Best Job in the World) | Passionate Sports Fan |
1 年I have been fortunate enough to be a student and a teacher in these types of courses. Aon invested in me and my leadership, and i am eternally grateful. I have paid it forward both with my Aon colleagues and my Private Health Management colleagues. Intentionality, honesty and transparency are the keys. You're a superstar Ash.
Senior VP HR @ Coca-Cola Consolidated | People Management
1 年Great message Ash, we can't just tout that people are our greatest assets, we have to show them that we are passionate about them as individuals and their careers!
Harvard Business School | CHIEF | Human Capital | Wellbeing | Innovation | Women We Admire ATL #17
1 年Indeed Ashish (Ash) Merchant - “Words matter - actions matter even more.”
Global Human Resources Executive - VP | CHRO | Business Partner | Transformational Business Leader
1 年I love that you were part of that event and you are hearing senior leaders talk about intentionally committing to their teams. I will always remind of the numbers we all know- 50% of employees are neither engaged nor disengaged, and 75% of that decision is directly impacted by their leader. It's up to us whether we want to engage people or not - and the rewards for that are not up for debate. It's what separates companies that thrive from those that struggle. I love you are championing an obligation that leaders have to their teams - it is a duty - to hear, involve, equip and inform. I am astounded at the senior leaders who say that is important but do nothing about it - and I am more inspired by those leaders that demonstrate it - and the sight of their teams demonstrating that engagement - staying longer, taking risks, sharing their best ideas, giving that discretionary effort......it's what gets me out of bed and I am so glad you shared your experience.