Development Planning Should Include Both Strengths and Growth Opportunities

When you have one on ones or performance reviews, do you spend more time discussing development needs or on successes?

As a leader there is certainly a need to address development opportunities and negative behaviors, but equally important is the need to highlight strengths and accomplishments.

J. Donald Walters, author of The Art Of Leadership provides the following tips:

1. You will accomplish far more by encouraging others than by belittling them. Let them know how they add value and invest in keeping their strengths strong!
2. Channel energy to those people who are in tune with what needs to be achieved.
3. Strengthen what’s positive and watch energy levels soar.
4. Don’t allow colleagues to offer negative criticism without offering solutions for improvement.
5. Welcome new ideas and encourage and reward those that make it real.
6. Focus on goals, issues, and company values, not popularity.
7. Communicate from a sense of justice, fairness, and facts, and remove personal emotions and biases.

The art of leadership is not about egos, but rather authenticity, support, flexibility, and recognition.

Understand and leverage the magic dust™ of others and they will be inspired and motivated to contribute even more!