Your Leadership Bench as a “Strategic Weapon”

When thoughtfully built and relentlessly refined, your leadership bench becomes the force that propels your organization ahead of the competition and aligns your leaders for the future.

Here’s how you can start:

Clarity of Thinking:

• Identify – Define your current and future business goals and consider how these affect your people strategies. What does it mean to be a leader in your organization? What skills are needed at each level? How will you spot individuals with the most leadership potential?
• Assess – Find out who’s performing well today, who shows promise, who cares deeply about the business and its people, and what skills or experiences they might still need. Plan how you’ll talk with them about their growth.
• Develop – Understand each person’s career ambitions. Create a development plan that benefits them and the organization. Which leadership programs or 1:1 coaching would help? Who should give feedback? How will you track their progress and involve their managers?
• Align – Offer job assignments or special projects that stretch their abilities. Look for cross-functional opportunities and connect them with mentors who can expand their networks. Decide which future roles you’re preparing them for.

At the heart of all this is retention—fostering an environment where leaders feel motivated and excited by new challenges, growth, and opportunities for advancement as the business evolves.

Seize the Momentum: Clearly define what exceptional leadership looks like within your organization, then architect bold, tailored development paths for every leadership level. Build systems to deliver ongoing, candid feedback and relentlessly adapt your strategies as your leaders and business evolve. Champion decisive action and create a culture where leadership excellence drives your organization forward.

To learn more, read Building Momentum: How to Align Leaders and Teams for Change