HCW Benefits Blog

This is a guest blog post from our HR partner CAI. CAI helps companies maximize employee engagement and minimize employer liability through human resources and management advice, training, news, survey data, public policy advocacy and consulting services.

A recent poll of HR professionals by the Corporate Leadership Council revealed that only 10 percent of managers are actually prepared to be managers. In fact, the Corporate Leadership Council estimates that 50 percent of promotions into management fail when based on current performance level rather than demonstrated leadership ability.

In a similar survey conducted by CareerBuilder, 26 percent of supervisors said they were not ready to become leaders when they started managing others. Fifty eight percent said they did not receive any management training at all.

Management training should be standard for all first-time leaders in any organization. Take advantage of leadership training programs, and encourage employees in whom you recognize management potential to enroll themselves in these types of programs. This in itself shows tremendous initiative on their part, and a desire to become a larger piece of the organization.

One way to help ensure your future leaders are ready to lead is to develop a culture where managers take an active role in the development of their team members. This includes recognizing those employees who demonstrate an aptitude for leadership, and providing the necessary guidance and training to prepare them for their next move up the corporate ladder. An organization must have strong leadership, and one of the responsibilities of strong leadership is to shape the next generation of management within the company to ensure its future. Here are some tips to help in the development of those future leaders:

• Encourage professional development among employees with the highest potential.
• Create a plan for employees and assist them in creating a development plan for themselves.
• Pair employees targeted for advancement with a mentor in a similar management role to impart knowledge and expertise simply by association.
• Identify opportunities for employees to become part of a professional network or participate in training to gain advice, support and inspiration from their peers and/or other managers.
• Challenge employees to move out of their comfort zone to promote individual growth.
• Seek training opportunities for employees who are being groomed for a promotion to management in order to identify and sharpen the skills needed to do the job.

For additional information on developing your future leaders, please contact a member of CAI’s Advice and Counsel team at 919-878-9222 or 336-668-7746.