Something I've been processing/ thinking about over-and-over the last couple of weeks: "If you are always leading, then you are never leading." John Maxwell talks about the failure of a leader is about the lack of awareness to replace yourself with a better leader. These two statements clearing show that as leaders we must be developing the next generation of leaders as well as our replacement.
We all know the egotistical leader who strives for all the attention, it was their way, their doing. They do a super job when "they" run things. Yet when they leave, then the organization, committee, or business dies. So, were they really a great leader? The vision of great leaders should always be to train your staff, train your replacement, and lead others to be a leader.
Creating other/ new future leaders is as simple as delegating tasks, allowing others into the spotlight, and allowing others to lead. You can learn, develop, and improve your leadership style by helping others reach their leadership potential. Zig Ziglar has one of my all time favorite quotes "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help people get what they want." (I love that quote)
Question: what are some ways to help others learn to lead? What does your company culture do to develop leaders and a leadership culture? What does a future leader look like?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and responses.