Growth Takes Practice

One thing I've learned over the years is that people rarely feel completely ready for the next opportunity.

As leaders, it's easy to wait until someone has all the experience or all the answers before giving them more responsibility. But if we wait until they are 100% ready, they may never get there.

Think about learning to ride a bike. Confidence doesn't come from watching someone else do it. It comes from getting on the bike, wobbling a little, maybe even falling, and trying again. Leadership is no different.

Great leaders are intentional about creating opportunities for people to practice. They ask someone else to lead the meeting, to take ownership of a project, or to present an idea to the team. Those moments might seem small, but they are often where confidence is built.

I actually think summer is one of best times to do this. With vacations and changing schedules, people naturally have more opportunities to step in to new responsibilities. Instead of simply filling a gap, use those moments to help someone develop. You might be surprised by what someone is capable of.

Leadership Challenge

Think about who on your team is ready for a stretch assignment. What is one responsibility you could hand over this month that would help build their confidence?