Effective Leaders Develop Other Leaders

Effective leaders understand the need to develop other leaders for the growth and health of the organization.  John C. Maxwell discusses this in his this Law of Explosive Growth: "When you recruit good, talented, capable followers to your team, you add to the team's ability.  That has great value.  But it doesn't compare to the impact of adding leaders to the team.  That's why I say to add growth, lead followers---to multiply, add leaders." (1)

The best leaders are talent scouts.  They are always looking out for that team member who has leadership potential.  Remember, effective leaders subscribe to the school of thought that leaders are made and not born.  They can be and are developed.  The astute leader is always looking to identify that next leader.

Another thing that frequently happens is that great leaders will see the potential in someone who will make an effective leader long before they see it in themselves.  This requires all the skills that we have previously discussed regarding building people up, establishing rapport and relationships, and investing in their personal and professional development.  Leadership is a learned skill and can and should be developed through a personal mentoring relationship.  

Leadership development doesn't just happen.  It needs to be a conscience deliberate act that is planned and becomes a part of the organizational culture.  The most effective organizations are led by leaders who develop other leaders as a regular part of doing business.  Without this critical component, organizations will decay and implode from a lack of leadership once the leader leaves.

Another thing to consider is that as new leaders are identified and developed, they can begin assume more and more responsibility.  This is what Maxwell means when he states "to multiply, add leaders".  For any organization to experience exponential growth, they must develop new leaders, and eventually develop leaders who develop leaders.  This is a discussion that we will have at a future date.  For now, understand that leadership development is critical and needs deliberate attention.

Effective leaders identify and invest in others to develop them into effective leaders.

(1) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Anniversary Edition) p.262