From High Performer to Leader

By Patty McDonald

If you’re planning to promote your high-performers, make sure that you give them the right resources to lead.

It’s a classic scenario: A high-performing employee is promoted into a management role based on their technical skills and productivity, often without an assessment of their ability to lead. In many cases, a new leader can struggle to direct and delegate, communicate, and oversee the delivery of the company’s mission. It’s a common but often misguided assumption that the most productive employee is well-equipped to assume a managerial role.

If you are planning to promote your top performers into leadership positions without helping them to develop the skills necessary to manage effectively, you may be making a costly mistake. Poor management can lead to a myriad of problems that will quickly eat into profits, including loss of productivity and failure to retain talent.

How can costly mistakes be avoided?

The best succession plans include intentional support for staff to develop along career pathways in your company. According to the Forbes Human Resource Council, it’s important to focus on filling the skill gaps and teach employees how to be leaders when considering them for leadership positions.

Be intentional about developing your high performers to execute the technical requirements of the job while also providing training on effective Supervision and Performance Management, Human Resources, Project Management, and other skills needed to successfully coach a team.

Are there resources available to help?

Frederick County Workforce Services recently purchased a new resource accessible to local businesses. Skill Up Frederick can offer your employees access to hundreds of e-learning modules in a range of topics, including Leadership and Management.

Here are some examples of the many titles accessible in this new platform: Leadership Essentials, Creating a Positive Work Environment, Leading Virtual Teams, Organizational Awareness, Performance Management, Coaching for Success, and many more!

If you are interested in investing in your succession plan but are concerned about costs, contact our office to find out about funding options to support your workforce.

Additional Insight:

Forbes article: New Evidence The Peter Principle Is Real And What To Do About It

Forbes article: Crucial Steps to Preparing a High Potential Employee for a Management Role