The LD50 Snapshot

INSTRUCTIONS: This quick and easy assessment is designed to provide you with a snapshot of your current leadership development system. Read each tip and circle the number that corresponds with the current level of success you are having with the suggestion. If the tip does not exist in your culture, simply write in NAF for “Not a Fit” or OPP for “Opportunity.” Once you have completed the assessment, step back and evaluate your system by completing the following steps:

Of the tips that do exist, how many are working at high levels? Place a check next to these.

Of the tips that do not exist, which could be implemented with relative ease? Place a box around these.

Of the tips you have given a box, which two best align with your current culture and can be implemented with relative ease? Place a star next to these.

Finally, read through the list and identify one tip that aligns with the needs of individual members of your team. Place their names next to these.

Once you have completed this exercise, we suggest you consult with your staff, peers, and/or other colleagues for corroboration that your selection is one that is most critical. Based on that feedback, you may find some other tips that are in need of greater attention. Involve others as you feel appropriate.

Another approach is to give this instrument to direct reports, colleagues, and/or peers and have them engage in this activity. Then, compare their feedback with your own assessment. If there are points of disagreement, these are opportunities ripe for discussion. All in all, use your judgment as to how you want to proceed. But whatever you develop, communicate with your staff. Remember, to be a leader is to teach and facilitate—and what better way to do this than to model the learning and action process.

Finally, remember that developing leadership capacity is not a one-time event. Revisit this activity periodically and adjust your sails accordingly. Time is not the only variable, though. As you bring new people into your organization, use this assessment and matrix system to steer the course in successful and innovative ways. With this as a backdrop, you’ll be a leader who truly builds leadership capacity in others and who leads with vision and innovation.

____   1. Clarify Team Expectations

____   2. Model the Way

____   3. Recognize and Reward Achievement

____   4. Model Effective Confrontation

____   5. Provide Challenge and Support

____   6. Keep the Troops in the Loop

____   7. Check in with a Thought of the Day

____   8. Realize Your Team Is Your Customer

____   9. Use the Pygmalion Effect

____ 10. Coach for Performance

____ 11. Facilitate a Culture of Accountability

____ 12. Tap into Their Passion, Unleash the Energy

____ 13. Hold Standing One-on-Ones

____ 14. Help Make Their Vision a Reality

____ 15. Solidify Their Learning

____ 16. Stretch Your Team. Always

____ 17. Switch It Up

____ 18. Have Them Lead the Team

____ 19. Create Great Communicators

____ 20. Grow Their Roles

____ 21. Let Them Answer the “How”

____ 22. Establish Action Learning Projects

____ 23. Design a Department Retreat

____ 24. Implement an Operating Calendar

____ 25. Create a Culture of Benchmarking

____ 26. Foster Critical Reflection

____ 27. Host a Book/Article Club

____ 28. Foster a Friendly Debate

____ 29. Create an Organizational FAQ

____ 30. Conduct a Quick Case Study

____ 31. Bring in Support

____ 32. Remain Focused on the Solutions, Not the Barriers

____ 33. Conduct After-Action Reviews

____ 34. Help Diagnose the Challenge—Technical or Adaptive?

____ 35. Transfer School Work Back to Your Work

____ 36. Foster Growth Through Personal Development Plans

____ 37. Capture and Share the Learning

____ 38. Develop Emotional Intelligence

____ 39. Facilitate Developmental Relationships

____ 40. Encourage Service in the Community

____ 41. Get Out in the Field

____ 42. Coordinate an On-Boarding Process

____ 43. Facilitate Cross-Departmental Problem Solving

____ 44. Create Teachers and Leaders

____ 45. Give Out the Monumental Assignment

____ 46. Create a Culture of Feedback

____ 47. Set Aside Time for Self-Evaluation

____ 48. Provide Development Through Assessment

____ 49. Ask the Tough Questions

____ 50. Capture the Learning from Hardships and Failure