Developing leaders to thrive

‘Of 800 executives and talent development professionals worldwide who took part in a Harvard Business Publishing survey, just a third said they felt they had the right leadership talent and skills.’

Multinational, multilingual, multicultural and multi-generational – these are some of the ‘Multi’s’ that leaders must manage within their organisations these days. Not only that, says Harvard Business Review, but they must do this within a context that is uncertain and unpredictable. The unique products and services that won over yesterday’s markets may not be the ones chosen for tomorrow either, today’s prize could be tomorrow’s old news. With technological advancement now so rapid, it is hard to keep up. This can feed into a crisis of confidence for and in leaders.

A key challenge for HR is developing leaders to succeed in the face of these mounting pressures. In times past, says Changeboard, organisation structures were more hierarchical and leaders had a longer time and more steps to grow into their roles. What we used yesterday to develop leaders may not work for tomorrow’s high-pressure needs. Business is more complex and critical decisions need to be made more quickly.

What’s required of leaders?

Leaders need a mindset that matches what they face daily – rapid change, global markets and workforces, less traditional structures and ways of working. They must be able to influence more and rely on position less.

How can you assist HR?

Through ensuring the right stakeholders are involved in development programmes, and the right types of programmes are implemented. Action learning projects can add meaning and real value through their experiential and experimental nature. Support participants by building in coaching and enough time to reflect. Use role models on the programmes, leaders that can share their own learning and in turn give others more insight into their own potential journeys. You may find that this process of engaging, networking and sharing also assists to identify those individuals you would like to develop further, or perhaps just get clearer on what further development will be most useful. Your leaders may also develop and cement the networks that can help to get them to the places they want to be.

The Annual HR Directors’ Leaders Summit is coming up in April. This two-day event brings top experts together for you. Don’t miss it. Click here to view the details of this Summit.