Leadership Development A Focus on Performance
Leadership Development is a wise investment for any business looking to gain a competitive advantage. Performance is the key issue with any leadership development program. Performance is crucial to obtaining sustainable and consistent business results. Here are three key areas of business performance a good leadership development program can be focused upon:
-
Employee Engagement
Recent surveys indicate a shocking high number of employees are not totally engaged in their current position at work. A recent Gallup article illustrated that engagement is a key indicator of overall business success. In companies recognized for being world-class the ration of actively engaged employees to disengaged employees is 9.57 to 1. In average organizations the ratio of actively engaged employees to disengaged employees is a paltry 1.83 to 1.
Leadership development within an organization focused on performance will increase the number of actively engaged employees. Additionally, those members who are not performing up to standards set by the organization are identified and proactive steps are taken to improve performance. Leadership development focuses on not only the performance of the leaders within an organization but ultimately on the performance of every member.
2. Organizational Alignment of Goals
Leadership development based on performance results in all leaders being focused on common goals directed toward the attainment of the mission and vision statements of the organization. Managers and executives who are working in unison toward the accomplishment of larger goals aimed at the ultimate accomplishment of the mission and vision will by necessity be performance driven. A recent article written by Donald T. Tosti and Stephanie F. Jackson articulates this point in great detail.
The ability to align all activities within the organization with the vision and mission is accomplished only by a leadership team that is performance driven and in constant communication with each other. Good intentions do not always provide the best results. A team focused and engaged on a common mission will outperform a similarly talented yet unfocused team every time.
3. Enhanced Customer Loyalty
Business is about the ability to attract and maintain customers. Leadership development focused on performance will be customer focused. A loyal customer is worth the price of gold. A recent article published by Advanced Systems – The Learning and Process Specialist highlighted the great benefits of a good customer loyalty program. The article highlights the importance that great customer loyalty must be leader driven.
The loyal customer will stay with an organization for a long period of time. Additionally, a loyal customer will act as a sales force for the organization by referring others to receive the valuable product or service delivered. A focused leadership development program will emphasize the importance of the loyal customer. Increasing the number of loyal customers will bring significant positive results to the bottom line.
Leadership development must be a priority for any business that is looking to achieve success. Is it time to invest in the leaders in your organization?