Management development is an important and accepted activity within organisations that consider leadership as a very important condition for their success. Talent development is now even considered as a ‘mission-critical’ company process.
‘High Potential Talent’ is seen as a strategic company advantage, and in successful companies; management development has been incorporated into their business cycles. My many years of training have highlighted a number of signs/behaviours that indicate when a person has the potential for leadership.
Here is a checklist. You might choose to rate yourself or ask your manager to rate you. As a prospective leader are you…….
1. Able to accept delegated authority? This characteristic is very much sought after in leadership selection. Do you have the ability to accept a job, handle it, and complete it alone or with limited supervision? Do you have the know-how to perform a delegated task, something outside the routine of daily responsibilities?
2. An informal leader now? Do you lead by example? Even though an ‘eager beaver’ type, you do not offend fellow workers with your leadership style. Because of this acceptance by others, you become a team builder and an unofficial leader of the group. Others look to you for advice and assistance.
3. Loyal to the organisation? Loyalty is dependability, achieving assigned tasks, and a general respect for your organisation. While able to identify problems in the organisation, you take pride in belonging to it and offer constructive suggestions for improvement.
4. Ambitious? Do you want to get ahead and are you willing to pay the price for advancement? Do you set goals and move toward them, even though this may call for overtime?
5. Able to demonstrate a balance of interest in work and in people? Team players work with, not on, people. Do you have patience, an understanding of people, and the ability to encourage others to participate in tasks? This trait must also demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
6. Proficient in social skills? Advancement means meeting people from different levels and in different areas of a diverse organisation. Skills in diplomacy and listening are critical.
between career, family, and community obligations. An organisation’s contribution to the community is called ‘social responsibility’.
8. Pursuing continuous self-improvement? This person seeks evaluation of work performance by others, and also takes advantage of any opportunities for self –development by attending training courses and reading.
9. Possessive of basic integrity? An individual with basic integrity shows careful use of the organisation’s equipment, makes good use of meeting time, and gives credit to others when due. These people are intellectually honest and have the self-confidence to acknowledge when they don’t have the answers.
10. Emotionally mature? EM is a ‘positive emotional response to inner and outer stress and strain’. Since we live in one of the most stressful times in history, this is a prime characteristic for a good leader.
11. Are you able to lead through persuasion & influence?
12. Trusting of others to lead projects and teams, even though you do not have a leadership title?

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