Three Phases of Leadership Development

Three Phases of Leadership Development

Leaders can be divided into three categories: the emerging leader, the developing leader, and the strategic leader. Each category is faced with specific challenges. Once these can be identified and overcome, the leader can move up. The graphic in the PDF lists challenges that face each type of leader.

Emerging Leaders

High-potential individuals who may be new to management or leadership roles, are being groomed for higher-profile positions, or have been identified as “leaders of the future.”

Leadership Challenges:

Moving from ‘technical, individual contributor’ to an effective manager-leader, building formal and informal networks, managing day-to-day while considering the future.

For Whom Coaching is Most Effective…

  • High potentials
  • New to leadership role
  • Leader of the future

Outcomes:

  • They are ready
  • They reach identified developmental goals
  • They are successful
  • They stay and are motivated
  • They have long-term career plans

The Coaching Conversation:

  • Exposure to concepts
  • Self understanding
  • How the world works – accelerated levels of personal and professional savvy
  • Self and social awareness – EI (Emotional Intelligence)
  • Interpersonal / leadership skills
  • Problem-solving

Developing Leaders

People who are currently in management and leadership roles and need to need to enhance their effectiveness; individuals who have changed role and need to develop additional competencies.

Leadership Challenges:

Managing through values, focusing power and influence, creating greater company-wide exposure, leading by example, leveraging personal insight, creating alignment behind strategies.

For Whom Coaching is Most Effective…

  • Change in leadership role (either in scope or responsibility)
  • Enhance / improve leadership effectiveness

Outcomes:

  • Improved team or business unit performance
  • Reaching identified goals
  • Improved leadership performance
  • Retention
  • Improve effectiveness in managing others
  • Address presenting performance or developmental needs

The Coaching Conversation:

  • Self-understanding of management & interpersonal style
  • Factors that lead to success versus current reality
  • Interpersonal & management skills
  • Organizational dynamics
  • Managing their boss & others
  • Current role & challenges

Strategic Leaders

Senior executives who are responsible for creating the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic direction.

Leadership Challenges:

Obtaining and sustaining business results; dealing with isolation, inadequate feedback and work life balance; managing succession planning.

For Whom Coaching is Most Effective…

  • Senior leader / executive level
  • Vision / direction / strategy
  • Executive team – decision-making / coordination

Outcomes:

  • Reaching business goals – $$$
  • Improved executive team performance
  • Improved stakeholder relations (external and internal)
  • Shifts in leadership style that positively impact organizational culture and alignment
  • Creation of broader strategic approach to business

The Coaching Conversation:

  • More in-depth assessment, possibly shadowing
  • Broader scope of conversation – more strategic, involving broader range of stakeholders
  • Broader organizational issues
  • Skills in confrontation
  • In-depth conversation about individuals
  • Personal matters
  • At times, role of confidant rather than coach

LRI’s expert consultants can provide coaching to help you or others in your organization develop leadership skills. Please call us for a free consultation at 800-598-7662 or email your inquiry.

https://leading-resources.com/consulting/leadership/

Eric Douglas

Eric Douglas is the senior partner and founder of Leading Resources Inc., a consulting firm that focuses on developing high-performing organizations. For more than 20 years, Eric has successfully helped a wide array of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations achieve breakthroughs in performance. His new book The Leadership Equation helps leaders achieve strategic clarity, manage change effectively, and build a leadership culture.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Select Learning Topic

The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.