Leadership starts at the top
In covering some essential aspects of leadership, hiring, and retention, it's clear that the key lies not just in hiring the right leaders but also in developing and retaining them for long-term success.
When Jaidin McCann and I met recently in an episode of my podcast, the importance of aligning leaders with organizational goals cannot be overstated. We delved into the challenges organizations face when seeking the right leaders and the necessity of utilizing data and tools to identify the best fit.
Nugget #1: Make sure you hire "right"
Jaidin, an expert in Executive Search with Jasper Consultancy in Seattle, emphasized the common mistake of hiring leaders based solely on personality preferences rather than aligning their leadership styles with the company's objectives. She noted that the Predictive Index is a valuable tool for understanding and measuring leadership styles, highlighting the importance of a strategic approach to hiring. I can’t agree more, especially as I’m a Certified PI Partner myself. You need the ability to look at the bigger picture and how leaders fit into it in order to make better decisions on who will fill leadership roles.
Nugget #2: Don't forget to look inside as well as out
Our conversation pivoted to the critical role of developing leaders within the organization. I raised some of my concerns about the often-overlooked internal talent pool, urging organizations to invest in the growth of existing leaders. We discussed the significance of retention and the impact it has on organizational success, stressing the need to focus not only on attracting top talent but also on keeping them engaged and motivated. After all, losing good talent is a BIG waste of money and resources!
Nugget #3: Connect the Head, Heart and Briefcase too
We also touched upon the challenges of communication gaps between leaders and teams, emphasizing the importance of bridging these divides for effective collaboration. Jaidin advocates for a holistic approach to leadership development, considering both the head and heart aspects of leadership, in addition to technical competencies (the "briefcase" that most of us spend most of our time focused on). So true!
We wrapped up by underscoring the necessity of continuous learning and development for leaders. The risks associated with overlooking existing leaders in favor of external hires are high, and we both emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment for internal growth.
Final Thoughts
This conversation laid the groundwork for future discussions on leadership, talent management, and organizational success. Jaidin and I promise to unravel more nuggets and share saucy insights together to help organizations navigate the complex landscape of leadership. Stay tuned for more episodes of Nuggets with Sauce as I and my guests continue to explore the world of business, leadership, and success.