The majesty of Lake Superior simultaneously inspires and demands respect. Operating a business can evoke similar feelings. Navigating the challenges of competition, economic pressures, customer satisfaction, sales, technology changes and labor conundrums demands strong leadership.
How is leadership developed and maintained?
I recommend reading Stephen R. Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, where he outlines leadership basics for individuals and business alike. Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood, Synergize, and Sharpen the Saw.
At Lake Superior College, we know employers need a pipeline of workers with both hard and soft skills. Students can learn hard skills in about two years. However, soft skills like communication, grit, creativity, emotional intelligence, problem solving, teamwork, adaptability and leadership sprout in childhood and grow throughout life. Higher education plays a role in developing leadership skills but so do employers.
Covey promotes allocating time for important instead of urgent things. Yes, urgent work consumes much of a business’s focus but if important things are ignored, they become urgent.
Developing leadership is important. These four recommendations will help you start.
First, delegate real responsibility not just routine tasks. Make sure you provide clear directions, encouragement, regular check-ins and be tolerant of imperfections.
Second, coach instead of ordering. Ask what they think is the next step, what options exist and what resources they need. This encourages analysis, creativity and proactivity. As a new scout, I was delegated the responsibility of organizing a weekend campout food plan. My leader guided me through meal ideas based on time, cooking skills and price. His coaching changed me.
Third, provide feedback and reflection to new leaders. Help them feel empowered by avoiding watered down platitudes like “good job.” Give specific examples like “great work finding a win-win with Mr. Rodrigues’ contract renewal.” Asking your leadership trainees how they made decisions can boost their confidence and foster reflective, creative thinking.
Fourth, invest in formal professional development programs. Educators like Lake Superior College, industry workshops and consultants are all effective ways to forge leadership soft skills. Facilitated team building activities can reveal hidden strengths, especially with newer employees.
Your next leader may be already on your payroll. Invest in them. Develop them. Lead alongside them. The waters may stay rough, but now you have a crew strong enough to cut through every wave.
David Kline is Vice President of Advancement and External Relations at Lake Superior College
