Thought Leadership

The Importance of a Leadership Development Plan

By Dwayne Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, Denise Bailey Clark, DM, ACC, EVP People and Culture

Do you have a leadership development plan? Do you know what a leadership plan is? The leadership development plan is a structured view of your strengths and areas for development. It is a plan to inventory your skills and abilities to enhance your leadership skills and abilities. It involves setting specific goals, identifying areas for improvement, and establishing a plan to reach those objectives. The components of an effective development plan include self-assessment, skills inventory, goal setting, resources, executive coaching, and reviewing and adapting goals.

πŸ’Ό SELF-ASSESSMENT

Self-assessment means identifying your existing leadership strengths. This can be accomplished with a leadership inventory. For example, maybe improve your communication, problem-solving, or decision-making skills. Also, identify your areas for improvement. Pinpoint the areas you need to improve as a leader. This could be better delegation, conflict resolution, or strategic planning.

πŸ’‘ DEFINE YOUR LEADERSHIP SHORT- TERM AND LONG-TERM GOALS

As you review your skills and abilities, list what you want to accomplish. What type of leader are you, and what kind do you want to become? Defining your leadership goals involves asking yourself: What is your leadership style? What are your short-term Goals (six months)? What do you want to achieve in the next six months? For example, you might aim to improve team communication or accomplish a specific project milestone.

Long-term Goals are usually for the next one year to 2 years. The questions to ask yourself are: What are your leadership long-term aspirations for the future? This could be reaching a higher leadership position, becoming a mentor, or leading a significant organizational change. Detail the activities you will engage in to develop these skills. This could include attending workshops, reading books, or participating in online courses. Describe how you will apply what you’ve learned in your daily work or personal life to practice and reinforce your skills.

πŸ’‘ IDENTIFY RESOURCES

What resources are available to you to receive coaching or mentoring? Every successful leader has a coach or mentor who can guide you in achieving your leadership goals. Think about your current organization. Are funds and other resources available to assist you in your leadership development? Determine what courses, workshops, or certifications would benefit your professional development. There may be leadership seminars, management courses, or industry-specific training.

πŸ“Š YOUR ACTION PLAN

Once you have completed a self-assessment, developed your goals, and identified resources, it is time to write your plan. Think of this process as a project. You are the project manager, and your skill development is the catalyst; your plan is the road map, and your accountability drives your ability to achieve your goals. You could use a Gantt chart to lay out your goals and milestones, or you can put your plan in writing.

🀝 ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND EVALUATING

Regularly review your progress and make necessary adjustments to your plan. Your leadership plan will include checkpoints along the way. Checkpoints are intervals for self-assessment and reflection, such as quarterly reviews to evaluate your progress. One goal may be to hire an Executive Coach to assist you in your accountability and provide objective feedback on your plan and progress. Periodically reassess your long-term goals and adjust your plan accordingly. An Executive Coach will assist you in adapting and updating your progress.

πŸ† CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Just like managing your team, you should acknowledge and celebrate your achievements to stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook. Creating and committing to a leadership development plan is a continuous journey. Stay committed to self-improvement, adapt as needed, and remain open to new opportunities and challenges that will contribute to your growth as a leader.

In conclusion, the keys to a successfully executed leadership development plan are a thoughtful and honest review of your skills and abilities followed by utilizing external resources development and having an executive coach or mentor to guide your journey.

πŸ“ž Call Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, LLC today for our Leadership Development and Executive Coaching services. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together.

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