In most business structures
there is an overall leadership hierarchy. A CEO, members of the board, and
upper management have important responsibilities and must make critical
decisions. This includes setting goals and implementing the right systems in
order to achieve those goals.
What some companies fail to
do, however, is create a culture of high performance throughout the entire
organization. Therefore, leadership development is vital. In fact, according to
the Center for Creative Leadership:
“Numerous
in-depth studies have reached the same conclusion: Organizations that invest in
leadership development perform better than those that don’t.”
Leadership Development Increases
Communication Within the Organization
Among the most important
skills leadership development offers is tools to increase communication within
the organization. From the top to the bottom, members must effectively
communicate with one another to create an effective culture. Examples of this
include:
·
Making
communication a priority: Simply put, some managers get wrapped up in their
responsibilities and forget to communicate. Others assume the members of an organization
are of like mind, when they may not be. However, studies show that
organizations that communicate well, and on a regular schedule, have an overall
higher rate of achievement.
·
Delivering
a clear message: Lower level employees rely on leaders for direction. Mixed or
unclear messages lead to confusion among staff members. Confusion will often
lead to a lack of confidence in the leaders themselves and the organization as
a whole.
·
Listening
effectively: One-way communication is simply not successful. Ideas should be
exchanged in order for efficient processes to be implemented. A common trait
among good leaders is the ability to delegate, but also to trust the feedback
he or she receives from that delegation. In both cases, employees are valued.
·
Enhancing
teamwork: Teamwork is essential within a successful organization to create
solutions to problems as they arise. This includes both inefficiencies in
business processes and personal conflicts that can infiltrate an organization
and lead to lower productivity.
Leadership Development Increases
the Performance of the Entire Organization
An effective system of communication
is certainly a very important part of a successful organization, but it is only
one step towards increasing performance. Bersin & Associates is an
independent research firm that has studied the impact leadership has on the
overall performance of an organization. In a 2008 study, the firm concluded:
“It is
important to remember that leadership development is not just about developing
leaders – it is about creating a culture of performance. There is a
relationship between good management and employee commitment. Great leaders
attract, hire and inspire great people. A mediocre manager will never attract
or retain high-performing employees. Leadership development creates a magnet
for high performers and fosters a high-performance organization.”
In other words, companies
that invest in leadership development are actually making an investment in the
culture of the organization as a whole. By increasing communication and valuing
employees, each individual will increase his or her performance. As each person
achieves more, the organization will as well.
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