It’s important to continuously develop the leadership skills of your best employees and help them grow as professionals – because their success is your company’s success. Growth and advancement are top priorities for candidates and current team members, as well, so by supporting them in these areas, you also help ensure their likelihood of staying loyal to your organization instead of seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

Here are some tips to optimize management talent so you can secure strong leaders and solidify your business for the present and the future:

Have a versatile development strategy that supports lifelong learning.

It may be more obvious with newer employees, but even experienced leaders who have been with your company for years have room to grow their talents. In fact, in some cases, the need may be even greater in order to keep them abreast of current technology and industry developments.

• Tailor your learning programs to the needs of each team member, depending on where they are in their employment life cycle. This includes any necessary upskilling or reskilling, as well as being prepared to adapt to emerging challenges that may not even be on the radar yet.
• Leadership training isn’t just for managers. Know how to identify emerging talent within your prospective and current workforce. There are numerous ways to do this including brainstorming sessions, collaborative group projects, e Learning, and even gamification. Keep an eye on each potential new leader and see how they’re doing and if their development goals align with yours. You may be surprised at the unsung potential superstars on your team.

Challenge and support your future leaders.

Once you’ve identified your future leaders, be sure to:

• Give them wider business exposure. Make sure they understand all the key aspects of your business, not just their own department. Help them gain a broader knowledge of your industry, as well as possible future company direction.
• Stretch them, while always having their backs. Place your future leaders in real business situations that will push them as much as possible when it comes to problem solving, critical thinking, decision making and creativity. They’ll master new skills and gain confidence – and your company will reap the benefits. Just be sure to give them the support they need throughout the process. A few mistakes are natural and necessary to learning, but provide a safety net against anything too serious. Which leads to …
• Put support systems in place. Offer coaching and mentoring opportunities. On a regular basis, let people know how they’re performing. As you communicate with them, seek their feedback, ideas and input. And, don’t forget to reward them appropriately for achievements and milestones.