DIY leadership development program for people who didn’t get nominated
I’ve always thought it would be more useful to have everyone participate in leadership development programs rather than just the limited number who are nominated.
So, here’s a DIY leadership program for all of you out there that didn’t get nominated.
The purpose of a leadership development program is to create the next set of leaders for the organisation.
As organisations grow, as leaders retire or otherwise churn out, organisations need new leaders.
If they don’t want to rely on whomever randomly becomes an effective leader, or rely only on recruiting externally, they set up leadership development programs.
Organisations may also use leadership development programs to reshape existing leadership norms.
In either case, the purpose of a leadership development program is to create the next set of leaders for the organisation.
Leadership development programs are like mini-MBAs targeted to a specific organisation.
Because of the breadth of topics and activities needed to effectively create the “next set of leaders for the organisation”, good leadership development programs are typically set up like mini-MBAs.
Typical topics and activities include:
- Self-awareness. MBTI, DISC, etc.
- Leadership expectations for behaviour. Learning what cultural norms you should be role-modeling.
- Leadership skills. For example, strategy, problem solving, emotional intelligence, time management, conflict resolution, presentation skills, planning, etc. The skills that are covered depend on what’s considered important for the specific organization.
- Understanding how the business works end-to-end including the business model(s), financials, and key processes — typically through observing in person, not just talking about it.
- Developing relationships across the organisation, including between members of the learning cohort. In some cases, a senior mentor may be assigned to support people after the development program is done.
- Some kind of capstone project and presentation. This demonstrates the ability to work effectively with other leaders, the ability to deliver, and the ability to present to a senior audience.
DIY leadership development program
- Build self-awareness
- Role model company values
- Develop leadership skills
- Learn how the business works
- Develop relationships across the organisation
- Develop relationships in the industry
- Capstone project(s)
Leadership development programs are an internal credential; credentials are a proxy for reputation
Finishing an internal leadership development program is an internal credential, like an MBA but targeted to a specific company. In some cases, if the company is famous enough, it might even be recognized externally. DIY leadership development won’t get you the credential, but credentials are really a proxy for reputation. Instead of using credentials as a proxy for reputation, you can work directly on building your reputation instead.
If you’re willing to pay, instead of internal credentials, you can get external credentials. Instead of an internal speaking program, you do presentation training with Duarte; instead of an “internal MBA”, you get an actual MBA, etc.
Acknowledgements
Bartosz Rakowski reminded me of the use of leadership development programs to shape future organisational culture.
Malcom Stanley reminded me that leadership development programs typically assign senior mentors for participants.
