Is Your Leadership Pipeline Failing You?
For the past 10 years or so companies have focused on getting women and other underrepresented populations visible and into their leadership pipeline. But many of these companies have failed in their aim. Putting leaders into the pipeline is not the goal – getting leaders ready to succeed at the next level and promoting them is. Visibility is the first step, but unfortunately it is not enough,. Visibility alone does level the playing field.
Our experience has shown that visibility through talent development and mentoring programs can be a great first step. However, if your programs do not connect rising leaders to mentors turned into sponsors and advocates, you just might be wasting your time. Sure, you’ll get some wins and promotions of the very top 1-2%, but you will not move the needle on the larger segment of the pipeline. You will not make a difference in creating more diverse leaders rising to the top of your organization. We’ve seen many well-intended programs and senior leaders continue to bypass talented leaders in the pipeline. They are often driven by sentiments like the following.
“They just aren’t quite ready yet.”
- Or
“They are really great at executing, but this leader doesn’t appear strategic enough, yet.”
And there is the catch! That word… “YET”!
Once these talented leaders are identified, they need to be nurtured. They need to be exposed to new areas and disciplines and challenged to grow into their potential. Without these components, you inadvertently created your very own “competency trap”. These leaders appear as great at this current level. However, the bias exists that they are not growing into the next strategic role.
By shifting the focus of your leadership development program, you can create sustainable paths forward for these rising leaders. That does not have to take years. But you do have to invest in all dimensions of your efforts. When you have motivated leaders, trained and invested mentors and sponsors, and a framework to drive leadership readiness, you then have a recipe for success. Now you have a real plan to create a diverse and successful leadership pipeline.
If you are hearing some of these excuses as to why your leaders are not “quite ready yet”, please reach out and talk to us! We will provide a complimentary assessment of ways to improve your efforts. More importantly - your results for your leadership development investments.
Learn more about Tiara International’s Leading with Impact Program and Mentoring Programs.
Read more from Elizabeth Ruske below.
