Stretch Opportunities that Empower Your Team are Created with a Growth Architect Mindset
Providing growth opportunities is a key aspect of being an inspirational leader that can help unlock your team’s full potential and drive organisational success.
What we know from research: When team members reflect on leaders who have inspired them, a common thread appears – these leaders actively supported their professional growth through new opportunities and challenges. Research suggests that when leaders engage team members intellectually and offer personalised attention, individuals are more inclined to leverage their unique strengths and take initiative.
My POV: Providing growth opportunities is not just about offering promotions or new roles; it’s about having clarity on each team member’s unique strengths, interests and aspirations, and finding new ways to support their development. What I see a lot of clients doing well now is creating “stretch experiences” within existing roles. It doesn’t have to take huge time from you. Quick check-ins make it easier to be a thoughtful architect co-designing these experiences through the work. Nor does it have to be with you personally – utilise your peer network, curating spaces for team members to engage in different strategic conversations.
As a Leader, what can you do?
- Don’t mistake volume of work with stretch. I see people who are overwhelmed by volume and simultaneously bored.
- Question what positive stretch would look like for the different individuals in your team.
- Know that feedback can be the best mechanism you have to coach and develop your people and team. Don’t miss daily opportunities to give appreciative and constructive feedback.
What difference will it make? By providing growth opportunities, leaders can help their team members develop new skills, take on new challenges, and reach their full potential. This not only benefits individual team members; it contributes to the overall success of the organisation. Plus, it’s personally rewarding to be a growth architect.
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