Take a minute to think about these rather startling statistics:
- 83% of organizations say it’s important to develop leaders at all levels, yet only 5% have actually implemented leadership development at all levels (Brandon Hall).
- Nearly HALF of new leaders do not receive any leadership training (Chief Learning Officer).
- 40% of new leaders fail in their first 18 months. Often the root cause is that they instinctively think that what made them successful before will make them successful in the new job (George Brandt, Forbes Magazine).
Can I just say: Sink or swim is NOT leadership development!
Without leadership development, new leaders are likely to lead the way they were led and that may NOT be a good thing!
All too often people are promoted to leadership because of seniority or their individual performance. Yet as indicated by the new leader failure rate, a new set of competencies is required to become an effective leader.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, frontline leaders need to master the following competencies:
- Self-awareness
- Learning agility
- Communication
- Political savvy
- Motivating others
- Influencing outcomes
Although a new leader may already have some of these competencies, they are now accountable not just for their own work but also the work of others. They need to learn how to adapt to different personalities and communication styles, create a vision and roadmap to get there, resolve team conflict, give and receive feedback, and develop others. And this is where leadership development comes in.
New leader training needs to be a key component of every organization’s learning and development plan. And it should not be just a one-day event around policies, performance reviews and disciplinary actions. It needs to be structured in a way that gives participants time to apply their learning, receive feedback, and get the ongoing support necessary (mentoring, coaching) to grow into the next line of senior leaders and executives.
Here’s another stat for you. Only 11% of surveyed organizations said they have a “strong” or “very strong” leadership bench, according to a 2021 Development Dimensions International (DDI) Global Leadership Forecast.
Don’t neglect your bench!
Check out our Keep it Real™ Leadership Program and register for one of the upcoming sessions.
Build your bench strength, grow your business!
Till next time, keep it real.
Karen
