How To Identify Leaders And Encourage Leadership In The Workplace

By Masentle Mokiti

Leadership skills form a crucial part of an organization's success and growth. Research has proven that constantly developing and grooming potential leaders within your team may express more faith in their capabilities. As such, this kind of gesture creates a positive environment that allows employee growth.

As experts in human capital, we have seen that good leaders vouch for a team's success over personal goals thus equipping employees with the necessary skills is essential for the organization's betterment.

Why Is It Important To Identify Leadership Potential?

Recognizing and encouraging leadership behavior at work may help improve how employees interact with clients. The more your employees feel free to engage with clients, the more motivated they become to pursue new responsibilities. According to Indeed, helping potential leaders develop their skills may also help improve your organization's retention rates. For this reason we always try to advise our clients to ensure that every department in their respective companies has the future leaders it needs to withstand any form of challenge.

Here's how you can identify potential leaders in your company:

1. Good communication skills- Employees with leadership skills are good listeners. They spare time to listen to others and do not ridicule or shun ideas when giving feedback but rather use the right selection of words to give a constructive perspective. They are open to receiving feedback on themselves and understand that being a leader means to also take advice from others. 
2. They prioritize the success of the organization- These employees vouch for teamwork rather than individual success. They understand that unity is power and much more can be achieved while working collaboratively.
3. They seek to learn more- Potential leaders are curious people who constantly explore new ventures and are not afraid to challenge themselves. Any opportunity that avails itself they grab it with both hands. 
4. They see failure as an opportunity- Potential leaders see failure as a learning curve in discovering new avenues. They do not dwell on the mistakes of the past but understand that practice makes perfect.
5. They engage with their work- They depict a higher level of engagement by asking questions and sharing insightful observations and suggestions. They are not afraid to voice their concerns.
6. They prioritize developing others- Effective leaders understand the need for ongoing employee development. They continuously scout for new development opportunities for team members and encourage employees to take on more challenging roles.
7. They are self aware- Leader’s self-awareness has been found to positively relate to many important individual and organizational outcomes. Studies have shown that self-aware leaders tend to have better performance and high levels of leadership effectiveness.
8. They are ethical and civic- Ethical leadership focuses on how leaders leverage their power in decision making, actions they engage in and ways in which they influence those around them.

IN A NUTSHELL…

As a leader it is important to build and maintain good relationships with your employees and to closely observe and monitor how they approach challenges within the organization. This may help you get a better picture of your employees’ character and attributes. Do you need help with succession planning in your organization? Connect with us today to learn more!