PreparingTeam Members for Growth

On LinkedIn, I asked where you focus when preparing a team member for their next role. The majority of respondents reported leaning in on the helping their team members build confidence and learn how to advocate for themselves. There’s no single formula for growth, but there are consistent themes that signal readiness for the next level.

When I’m supporting someone’s professional growth, I tend to focus on three areas:

1️⃣ Personal organization and mastering their current role - Before leading others or assuming increased responsibility, it’s essential to demonstrate ownership and reliability. I set clear expectations that the person needs to demonstrate their ability to prioritize their time, manage their workload, and consistently deliver high quality deliverables. Building strong personal organization skills like note-taking, calendar management, and confirming understanding of expectations sets the foundation to take on new challenges.

2️⃣ Taking on stretch projects - I look for opportunities for the individual to practice skills they will need in the next position. Strategically thinking about how to use where you are to get ready for where you want to go is a skill in and of itself. Taking a leadership role on an initiative or drafting a new deliverable is a safe way to build confidence, develop judgment, and test readiness.

3️⃣ People leadership and influence - Even before having direct reports, emerging leaders can practice navigating different personalities, resolving conflicts, and influencing without authority. These are essential skills for all leaders and almost certainly will used more frequently as one ascends in position and increasingly interfaces with leadership.

Each person’s path is different, but these are three areas I consistently work with direct reports to strengthen when they’re looking to make a move.

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