Emerging leaders have so much promise ahead of them. In the Harvard Business Review posting by Coleman and George, they highlight five important steps emerging leaders can take in their growth process. I thought they were so good, I have summarized the main points here.
- Find a Mentor
- Form a Group
- Volunteer
- Travel to a New Country
- Ask Questions
Find a Mentor
Every leader can benefit from the support and insights of others. I always encourage young leaders to find 3-5 people they want to be like when they grow up. This is not just for young leaders. I am 55 and I do the same thing. Don’t underestimate the willingness of experienced leaders to spend time with younger leaders. Also, you don’t need to find a mentor who is an example in all areas of life and leadership. You can find someone who can give you insight on time management, someone else on strategic planning, and a third on family life. How can you connect with these new mentors? Send them an email and ask them if you can get together for coffee if they live nearby or on the phone if they are not in your area. If it goes well, ask them if you can meet again sometime. If it doesn’t go well, just thank them for their time. For an outgoing relationship, follow the advice of Coleman and George, “Identify someone with whom you have a genuine chemistry and who is committed to your development.” Regardless, take action on this and you will be glad you did.
Form a Group
If finding a mentor can be helpful, so can forming a leadership group. Coleman and George write “Leadership development groups are groups of six to eight people who meet to share their personal challenges and discuss the most important questions in their lives.” Again, you can form these groups in your local area and you can also gather via a conference call (we use FreeConference). Meet at least once or twice a month to keep the continuity that you need. Emphasize confidentiality as well as holistic sharing about life, family, work, etc.
Volunteer
Giving back to your community is a win-win proposition. Coleman and George write “Participating in local organizations — from religious organizations to civic groups — can give you early leadership experiences, provide real connection to your neighbors, and offer opportunities to serve others. It adds a dimension to your life that work can’t, and helps you develop and solidify your character while giving back to the community.” The former Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, commended Crown College as one of two colleges in the state that required community service. The lessons learned, the connections made, and the investment in the lives of others can be priceless.
Travel to a New Country
I am writing this blog from El Salvador where I am speaking at a conference for Emerging Leaders. What they may not know is how enriching this is for me. Everywhere I go, I talk with young American leaders about the benefits of getting out to other places. As globalization increases, we all need to stretch our horizons and learn from others. Coleman and George refer to one of my top 10 favorite books, “”The World is Flat,” as Tom Friedman puts it, so it has never been more important to get global experience. In the future cultural sensitivity will be a more important characteristic for leaders than pure intellectual ability.” Brainstorm today on ways you can find yourself in some other country this year or next.
Ask Questions
If you read widely on leadership, you will find time and time again experts emphasizing the value of asking good questions. On this point, Coleman and George write “With the high velocity of change in the world, it is impossible to have answers to all the important questions. Much more important is a deep curiosity about the world and the ability to frame the right questions in profound ways.” In summary, don’t forget how you can tie all these themes together: Ask questions of the mentors in your life. Ask questions of the peers in your leadership group. Ask questions as you voluteer with others. Ask questions as you travel in new places.
Regardless of where you are at in your leadership journey, take every opportunity in 2012 to actively engage the world around you.
