5 Benefits of Effectively Developing Your Team

 If I asked you what was the top responsibility of every leader, what would you say? I hope one of the first answers that would come to mind would be developing others into strong leaders. Arguably, developing others is the most important thing every leader tasks themselves with each day. Taking the time to coach and grow those around you is an investment of time and a labor of love. There will always be challenges and obstacles that both you and the team will face as learning occurs. We have talked about what some of the steps are in developing others previously, but there are also many terrific benefits that come from making this time commitment. Here are five of the most common positive outcomes that comes from it.

Increased engagement

When you invest in people, they will invest themselves in you. Almost any survey you review will show that associates at all levels have the desire to learn more, be better prepared, and have the opportunity for personal and career growth. When you provide those growth options through coaching and individual development, they will reward you for your efforts. Consistently providing that path to better selves will lead to loyalty, meaning that investment goes that much further.

Improved productivity

Helping people achieve their best possible selves means they are giving more each day in their current role. The first item discussed was engagement - that becomes the multiplier for almost everything else, but especially productivity. Engaged team members carry forward to associates that are willing to do more in the best possible way. This is productivity at its finest. 

Allows for better delegation

As you develop those around you, their new skills can ensure that you are keeping the right things on your plate as a leader. Development and delegation when done right form a symbiotic relationship - as delegation, done well, leads to developmental opportunities. When you have multiple people on your team that can perform many levels of tasks, your options expand for what you can take.

Creates a sense of community

Imagine your entire team learning and growing both as individuals as well as teammates. They know that you are making an effort to work with each of them as individuals. Collectively, they feel part of something bigger. People sense when their leader is different from others, and that creates a bond between them as well. This bond opens up new lines of communication. They feel more connected to one another as well as you and the Company. Once again, this feeds into the pieces above, especially engagement and builds a strong cycle of connectedness.

Pride

I can think of nothing greater in my professional career than seeing people that have worked for me in the past succeeding and moving into higher level positions. Knowing that I had a small role in their development fills me with pride as I watch them achieve their goals and take on new responsibilities. I believe pride is the true feeling of leadership. These five benefits only scratch the surface when thinking about the power of people development. When people ask me about the role of leaders is today, I always start with this statement: “a leaders role, first, and perhaps foremost, is to develop other strong leaders”. Go play that role and watch amazing things happen and you too will understand that feeling of effective leadership.What are you doing today to help develop your team into strong leaders for the future? Share your ideas and stories in the comments section.Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills. JOIN NOW!No spam ever - just leadership goodness.