Something special happened to me recently. I took my oldest child to college.

A very interesting revelation occurred on the day we left her there on her own.

My wife and I spent 18 years getting her ready to leave the nest and NO time preparing ourselves for that day.

I can’t help but wonder…..
Now that I’ve helped a young lady grow into a leader (which, I’m proud to say, she definitely is), am I ready to lead a leader? Do I know what it takes to help her grow into something even more than she is today?

Obviously, she’s an adult now and has to make her own decisions but, like all of us, she needs someone to count on for advice and guidance.
She will have a lot of influences in her life but I would like to continue to be a person she counts on when she needs help growing through life’s challenges.

I can see what happens to so many people. They get their kids to a point that they are supposed to go off and be adults – finding their own way in the world. And, they quit growing themselves.

They seem to think they are “done”.

If it’s true that you’re either growing or your dying, I’m not comfortable with the idea of being “done”.

I better keep growing.

Now, ask yourself whether the leaders you have in your business can truly lead the leaders.
Do YOU have what it takes to allow people to grow enough that they challenge you and your own leadership. Not in a bad way…. In a way that allows you all to grow.

Do you like the alternative?

I’ve talked with dozens of companies that claim to have “leadership” in the field. Upon further examination, many of those “leaders” are simply cashing checks.
They are done — with no intention of growing into a leader of leaders.

Sadly, sometimes, the corporate leadership is “done” too. Not good! But that’s another discussion.

As a true leader, we must identify the REAL leaders in our business — Those that want to continue to grow.

Coach them.

Nurture them.

Provide the tools and training so they continue to grow.

Challenge them.

Challenge yourself.

There should be no “end” to the process.
We must lead leaders so they can do the same. If the process of growing stops, if we’re “done”, the process from that point is not one I am ready to participate in.

In your business, don’t take leadership for granted. Don’t assume your “leaders” are true leaders.

Many of them have scratched and clawed their way to a nice paycheck and we recognize them as being leaders. In reality, they have a lot of room to grow and need the motivation and training to be mentors to the people below them in their organization.

If we do our jobs right, leaders become better leaders. Always!

Recommendation — build a culture of leadership and leadership development.

And NEVER stop.…unless you really like the idea of being “done”.