By Matt Paese, Ph.D.
“None of us signed up for this.” That’s what a member of the high potential pool of a large global corporation said to me last week.
Let’s call him Tim. Tim is a sales superstar with a phenomenal track record. People love working with this guy. He talks straight, transforms complicated problems into action plans, and makes hard work rewarding.
Tim’s had his share of chances to be promoted, but he likes what he does. He doesn’t see the corner office as his destination.
But the company has a leadership shortage, and they need people like Tim to step up. So, they asked him to do just that. Actually, they sort of asked him.
“This is a good development opportunity for you.... You really need to do this.” That was the “invitation” from Tim’s boss to join a group of a few dozen high performing leaders, and participate in special development opportunities that would accelerate his growth, and position him to possibly take on a big executive job down the road. A clear business need for the company, and a great career opportunity for Tim.
But Tim was hesitant about the proposition, and that sentiment was echoed by others In the orientation meeting to kick off the initiative, a latecomer (by 5 minutes) was publicly berated as being uncommitted to the company. Whoa. Suddenly this doesn’t sound so much like an opportunity.
Okay I know what you are thinking: Tim never should have been invited in the first place, and this organization’s process is broken. Maybe so. Probably so. But there’s more.
I asked Tim if he would be interested in accelerated development under any circumstances. He said he would “if they were really serious about involving me in the real business issues”. Turns out Tim is more interested than we might have thought. But his engagement doesn’t have to do with the job he might get, it’s about being a part of the solution. It’s about having impact.
Accelerated development isn’t a one-way street. It isn’t something you wrap up and “give” to someone, particularly when that someone has a track record of success. Accelerated development is something that executives and high potential leaders do together. Growing a cadre of emerging leaders means building a community whose purpose is to solve the most pressing business problems at hand. Everyone learns. Everyone steps up. We grow together.
Are you building a learning community, or making offers that your potential leaders can’t refuse?
Matt Paese is the Vice President of Executive Solutions for Development Dimensions International (DDI).
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