Developing Future Leaders From Within

"Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to." - Richard Branson

Some time ago at one of our Proteus programs I remember vividly where a Director of Nursing (half-joking), shared with the group: “If a nurse actually turns up for a job interview and they have a pulse – they’ve got the job!”

Her quip was initially hilarious.

However, she continued, this time more seriously: “Don’t get me started on trying to find experienced clinicians willing to take on one of my many vacant leadership roles.”

What stood out was how this was a universal experience across all the industries represented in that room. Everyone had a similar story: “Where have all the talented people gone?” It was echoed with: “How do we attract great leaders who are not only competent people leaders, but willing to join us?”

The search for exceptional leaders has always been a challenge, but in today's rapidly shifting landscape, the scarcity of leadership talent is becoming a crisis point.

Like me, many of our clients are secretly wishing “If only we could find some external superhero candidates that will fly in and rescue our situation”. But deep down, we know this hope is a delusional fantasy.

Occasionally, yes, we find a brilliant external candidate that is a great fit culturally and who after a significant lead time they can help transform our situation, but this is becoming the exception, not the rule.

We must shift our focus. By defaulting our thinking away from external quick-fix solutions and instead, turning our attention to developing the future leaders that are already amongst us.

Let your people grow

Imagine the culture of an organisation where leaders consistently look at their team with fresh eyes - seeing not just employees, but future leaders in the making. There is something beautifully fulfilling about nurturing talent while watching people flourish regardless, while some of them will grow into the leaders they’re destined to become.

I’m very aware that this is a longer-term game, but it really is the only sustainable option. Plus, there are many compelling reasons to focus on internal leadership development.

Why Internal Leadership Development is the Key:

• Familiarity and Fit: Those within your organisation already know its pulse. They’ve internalised your values, experienced the culture and formed the relationships that keep your business running smoothly. They are uniquely equipped to lead…Why? Because they’ve already lived it.
• Cultural Alignment: Recruiting external hires can risk a cultural misalignment. It simply takes a long time for them to be adding value to your organisation.
• Retention and Loyalty: An overwhelming 94% of workers told LinkedIn that they would stay at a company longer, if it invested in their careers. Further, 86% of professionals told Harvard Business Review they would leave their current jobs for companies offering more development opportunities.
• The Power of Learning: Deloitte has found that organisations with strong learning cultures have higher retention rates of 30-50%.
• Engagement and Productivity: According to Gallup, employees who feel that they have opportunities for development are more engaged. More engaged teams outperform their peers by a staggering 147% in earnings per share.

The Risk of Not Training

For those still unconvinced, let me share with you a timeless perspective attributed to Henry Ford. When asked, “What if we train them and they leave?” Ford famously responded, “What if you don’t train them, and they stay?”

There’s a unique joy in watching a colleague, someone who started out as a fresh face, rise through the ranks and lead with confidence and competence. It’s a testament to a great culture… one that believes in its people.

Take a moment to reflect on the future leaders within your organisation. Who could benefit from a new opportunity, some targeted development, or simply more trust? By investing in them, you’re investing in the future of your organisation.

Wishing you a wonderful week of identifying and developing your people from within.

Richard Dore
CEO - Director of Partnerships
Proteus Leadership