I was recently asked what some of the identifying characteristics are for employees who have the potential to lead. Here is a partial checklist:
- They see the big picture and how each segment supports that picture
- They are comfortable communicating up and down the org chart and are good at building relationships
- They are innovative thinkers who expect to find solutions and do
- They have a knack for putting people together who will collaborate and cross pollinate well
- They manage their energy well and know how to prioritize
- They convey ideas easily and build enthusiasm among team members for those ideas
- They look for the best in people and encourage them to bring their best game
- They are inclusive, building bridges between people with cultural and philosophical differences
- They hold themselves and others accountable for results
- They manage resources well: time, people, $ and space
- Because they listen well, they engender trust among peers
- They are willing to ask for help, ideas, feedback
This isn’t a complete list, by any means, and yet if an employee exhibits many of these characteristics, they will likely stand out from the crowd and be a good candidate for a leadership role.
