by Peter Economy
Republished from Inc, May 30, 2017
When putting together a group of individuals to work together on a project, it can seem easy to simply delegate all that you have to do to other people. What this doesn’t do, however, is set up anyone else on staff to lead after the leader’s departure.
The lack of initiative that comes with passivity may actually be crippling to an organization, especially one striving to grow in multiple, independent departments. Here, then, are 5 great ways to build a team of leaders from within, while encouraging your best employees to move up the ranks themselves.
1. Promote cross-departmental teamwork
Do away with departmental boundaries by creating teams able to work in multiple fields to make the most of your employees’ skill sets. When you create these groups, place certain people into leadership-like positions in order to promote their project management capabilities in smaller settings.
2. Give others authority
Letting employees make decisions, rather than simply dismissing them when offered, is actually a great way for people to begin tapping into their problem solving and analytical skills early on, practices that may serve particularly useful when transitioning into leadership roles.
3. Tell your staff about your process
One of the most intriguing parts of leadership is the mystery around it. Few people who aren’t leaders actually know how important decisions get made, where the company is planning on going, and how products get decided from start to finish. Being free and transparent with your information shows employees the steps they’ll have to take when they try to step in as leaders rather than leaving them blind.
4. Express your passion
When people training to become leaders see how much you care about a team, project, or organization, they’re much more inclined to be passionate about the same things–especially if that means maintaining structure and efficient maintenance when they take on leadership.
5. Be clear about responsibilities
Setting clear roles for each person, as well as the tasks they’re expected to do, aids in helping future leaders set those exact same roles. In some cases, it may even help them learn how to create new ones, a sometimes necessary step that accompanies a company’s growth.