High performance leaders use alternate learning when they need to.
What's alternate learning? Ways for your people to learn what they need to learn that do not involve the leader teaching it. Ways such as (but not limited to):
- special projects
- sitting in at higher level meetings
- finding a new mentor
- partnering up with another team member
- attending an off-site training event
- helping another team with a task
- meeting new people
... and there are many, many more ways. My point is that it is not always up to the leader to teach everything a team member needs to be successful. Sometimes, it's not even possible.
High performance leaders recognize when someone is beyond that leader's ability to teach and help them find another way to learn.
Think about someone you have been nurturing, teaching, or mentoring. Are they still making as much progress toward their goals as you both would like? Do they seem stuck? Have they advanced beyond how you can help them in any particular area?
Sometimes the best thing that a leader can do is let go and let someone grow.
What do you think?
-- Douglas Brent Smith
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