How to discover untapped potential in your organization… Natural leaders crave the opportunity to take on more responsibility. You do not have to look for natural leaders, they make themselves known. Sounds like a reasonable statement, right? Though it sounds reasonable, it is not always true. Sometimes natural leaders remain just below the organizational radar waiting to be discovered. You can find these “hidden leaders” within your organization by creating an environment where they feel safe to explore “widening boundaries of accountability”. Here's how to remedy common concerns that keep leaders from surfacing.
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Concern |
Remedy |
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What if I don’t start off on the right foot? I 'm likely to fail. |
Frequent, structured coaching reviews – with constructive criticism and encouragement. |
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Will I be rewarded or will my extra effort just be put to use and then disappear? |
Periodic Lean reviews where project owners present their own work. These reviews allow management, and, more importantly, peers to show their appreciation for good work. |
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Wait a minute; don’t make me stand up in front of the group. |
If you suspect employees are concerned about presenting, give them plenty of time to attend reviews before they need to present their own work. This allows potential leaders to get a “preview” so they don't feel threatened. You can also coach concerned employees before public reviews to ensure they feel confident they will make a good showing. |
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Just because I am excited about leading this Lean project does not mean it will accomplish the expected result. There is a chance it will not work. |
Using group consensus to prioritize Lean projects lets project owners know that other people were involved in the project selection. This results in a "we are all in this together" attitude that makes risk less stressful. |
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Will I be blamed for poor results? |
Frequent coaching, a high tolerance for mistakes, and intolerance for finger-pointing will stamp out the blame flame. |
When you create a structured and safe environment where people can gradually expand their level of responsibility and accountability, the results may surprise you. It is highly likely you will surface “hidden Lean leaders” that exceed your expectations.
