Real Leaders Don't Grow Followers, They Grow Leaders

As a leader, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your job is to tell people what to do and make sure they follow your instructions. But the truth is, the best leaders don't grow followers, they grow leaders. 

What does that mean? It means that the best leaders invest their time and energy in developing the skills and talents of their team members. They create an environment where everyone feels empowered to learn and grow. And they celebrate the successes of their team members just as much as their own. 

There are a number of benefits to growing leaders. First, it makes your team more effective. When everyone on your team is a leader, they're able to think critically and make decisions on their own. This can free you up to focus on the big picture and strategic planning. 

Second, growing leaders makes your team more resilient. When people believe they are valued and that their contributions matter, they're more likely to stick around. This is especially important in today's competitive job market. 

Finally, growing leaders makes you a better leader. When you're constantly surrounded by other leaders, you're constantly learning and growing yourself. This helps you to become more effective in your own role. 

So how do you grow leaders? Here are a few tips: 

Hire for potential. When you're hiring new team members, look for people who have the potential to grow and develop. Don't just focus on their current skills and experience. 

Provide opportunities for growth and development. Give your team members opportunities to learn new skills and take on new challenges. This could involve sending them to training courses, giving them opportunities to lead projects, or simply providing them with the resources they need to learn on their own. 

Create clarity about the mission, goals, and equally important, the company values.  It may seem strange to include this, but if the primary objective is profitability, logical decisions to increase revenue could be at odds with quality patient care, or worse yet, illegal.  So be clear about the guardrails and the goals, then set your people free to achieve them. 

Provide regular feedback and coaching. Help your team members to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Break goals down into measurable chunks and get regular updates from them to ensure they have not veered off course.  Please note, that this is not micromanagement, rather, it is empowering and provides an excellent mentorship opportunity.  They decide, you coach. 

Celebrate success. When your team members achieve success, take the time to celebrate with them. This will help them to feel valued and appreciated. 

Growing leaders is an investment that will pay off in the long run and is an important part of being a successful leader. When you invest in your team members, you're investing in the future of your team and your organization. You can create a more effective, resilient, and innovative team and an environment that good people want to be engaged in. People will be asking to work with you!