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Success today is often measured by financial results and operational efficiency. While these metrics are valuable, many leaders find themselves at the helm of thriving companies, feeling incomplete and disconnected. Some may even sense untapped potential within themselves or the organization they lead. If this resonates with you, it may be time to rethink your leadership approach.
As a social entrepreneur and co-founder and COO of a custom software company, I have devoted a significant portion of my career to nurturing leadership within my organization. Through this journey, I have realized that cultivating leaders goes beyond achieving impressive business results; it also brings a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
In this article, I'll share why growing leaders within your organization is vital and six strategies that have proven consistently effective for me over the years. These approaches have led to sustained business growth, even during challenging economic times, promoted a strong company culture and provided a deep sense of personal satisfaction.
Related: How to develop empowered leaders within your team
Why leaders must grow leaders
Optimizing for results often means making the right business decisions quickly and efficiently. This usually involves the most competent individual designing a solution, executing it, and others following suit. While this approach may bring short-term success, it has its downsides. Employees can become accustomed to others making decisions for them, leading to a dependency that it stifles innovation and personal growth. Over time, they may stay in their comfort zones, relying on structured environments and lacking opportunities to innovate and develop high-level decision-making skills.
On the other hand, research from 2024 Harvard Business Review reveals that “the so-called war for talent is still on” and that to stay engaged and perform at their best, people need meaningful work, managers and colleagues who value, respect and trust them, as and opportunities for growth, excellence and career advancement. .
Conversely, from the perspective of leaders, various reports suggest that leaders usually feel lonely on top and that achievement does not guarantee “real fulfillment and self-esteem.”
Therefore, leadership should not be seen only as a means of achieving business results. Instead, it can be a powerful mechanism for cultivating future leaders who, in turn, drive organic and sustainable business growth. When leadership is reimagined in this way, it is transformed from a guiding force into a nurturing environment where individuals are encouraged to grow, learn, innovate and ultimately lead.
As Tom Peters, a leadership expert, says in his best-selling book In Pursuit of Excellence, “Leaders don't create followers; they create more leaders.” Furthermore, a mentor of mine once compared leaders to stem cells: They replicate and produce copies of themselves over long periods of time, just as leaders should.
Cultivating leadership is similar to so-called servant leadership modelwhich shifts management from control to collaboration, fosters innovation and empowers employees. This model focuses on developing leadership qualities in others and emphasizes empathy, listening, caring and commitment to personal growth.
Six strategies to grow leaders
If you aspire to create a company rich in spirit, values and a unique level of service and product, you must invest time in nurturing your people. This includes allowing them to make challenging decisions alongside you. While this strategy may not always result in the fastest or most optimal decisions, it lays the foundation for a culture of growth and shared values.
1. Get your team involved
Whenever possible, invite as many people as you can to observe and participate in your operations. Whether it's a business call, meeting with clients, contract negotiations or operational work, let them witness and learn from the process.
2. Delegate and guide
Once you understand how to complete a task, structure it and delegate it to someone else. Stand by them as they execute it, but resist the urge to interfere unless they're completely stuck. Let them make non-critical mistakes and learn from them. Delegation is about providing space and freedom.
Related: How to prevent groupthink from destroying your business
3. Encouraging group decision-making
When looking for solutions, gather your team and debate as equals, minimizing formal roles. If you know the right decision, wait for the group to reach it on their own. it PRocess ensures deeper understanding and buy-in.
4. Strive for consensus
Foster an environment where the team collaborates to make decisions collectively. Avoid voting, as it can lead to resentment and disengagement among some team members. Ideally, your role as a leader is to guide the team towards making decisions independently, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued in the process.
Related: How Great Leaders Communicate Their Vision
5. Use technology
Use technology platforms to improve team collaboration and consensus building. Such tools foster inclusive decision-making by encouraging meaningful discussion and input from all team members.
6. Encourage open dialogue
Open dialogue is essential to cultivating a healthy, collaborative and innovative team environment. By creating a space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas, you increase confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Gather your team regularly to discuss and reflect on decisions and strategies, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
Growing leaders goes beyond financial success to embedding values and fostering long-term leadership in your organization. Create a workplace where fulfillment and happiness mirror what you seek at home. By nurturing future leaders, you ensure business longevity and empower individuals to drive the company forward. This is the greatest gift a leader can give—building not just a business, but a thriving community that brings fulfillment and satisfaction.