Leading Others Starts With Inspiration!

     One of the biggest pitfalls we have is not realizing our true potential. It's tough to look into a mirror and judge the best and worst about yourself. You can pay someone to do that for you, usually someone in the medical profession, or take a career aptitude test, but is that really necessary? Sometimes it takes a pat on the back a few times. What does it take to get someone to tell you that you have (or don't have) what it takes?
     I put together curriculum with my team to develop leaders starting at the entry level. There isn't a law against exposure to training outside the recommended timeline in someones career. Of course it depends on if there is sensitive information that can't be shared. In that case you eliminate that portion and work around it. What you're doing is empowering that individual to believe he/she is capable of (even) entertaining the idea that they have worth and opportunities they didn't know they had before.
     Mentoring is something everyone should be doing at all times. It shouldn't just end when you leave the office, in fact, for many of us it doesn't. We go home to children. Are they not being mentored by us? We babysit, visit Grandchildren, teach Sunday School and even have our children's friends over to play. You're mentoring all the time. It comes more naturally off the clock, but don't let that stop you. Take someone under your wing. Become a career advisor. All you need to do is look for potential for learning; someone with intentions on promoting; anyone willing to gain more understanding and looking for someone to point them in the right direction.
     First, don't forget who owns that direction. Don't make it about you. They don't want to BE you, they want to discover themselves in your shoes and through your eyes. Expose them to what you do,teach and then check for understanding. Plan and map out the learning and training together. Let them be part of the process and they will eventually start to own it. They need to make just as much of an effort as you do in teaching them. Lastly, make sure you have enough time and are up to the challenge.
     The last thing we can do to someone else is squash potential. There's nothing I find more challenging than creating something from next to nothing. When I have someone who even shows a spark...just a spark of interest or potential they have my full attention. There will be times I will do the pursuing. There's that 'forced exposure' again. You'll have some people who catch on quickly to what their worth is and act on it. Then there are those who, for whatever reason (upbringing, past relationships or employers) need a nudge in the right direction. Once you get their buy-in...you're in!
     Never quit on someone who's making an effort. You can always change directions, reinvent the map toward success and pick a different career. Never let them give up entirely. They have the desire, something highly coveted by employers, and you need to grow a replacement or at least prove your leadership skills. How else are you going to move up? The business end is one thing that can get you promoted, once there how will you grow people and be a leader without the ability to lead? It's going to be a short career if you can't lead. Learn it or step out of the way! Future leaders on the way to the top!