Leadership development may be the most important thing any company does. That’s why, every week, I review blogs and other publications that cover leadership development to find the very best leadership development posts. This week, you’ll find pointers to posts about building a mentoring program, networks as shackles for developing leaders, why some managers thrive in tough situations, and sense and nonsense in leadership development.
From Sharlyn Lauby: How To Build a Successful Mentoring Program
“Organizations are facing some unique challenges when it comes to talent. The Boomer generation is planning to leave the workforce (or at least transition to part-time or semi-retirement). Companies want to make sure their organizational knowledge and history is passed along to new employees, who will lead the organization forward.”
From Martin Gargiulo: When Networks Become Shackles for Aspiring Leaders
“Manoeuvering into a position of power requires building relationships that could restrain you later if left unchecked.”
From Yuntao Dong, Myeong-Gu Seo, and Kathryn M. Bartol: Why Certain Managers Thrive in Tough New Jobs While Others Get Fed Up
“Career development is supposed to keep young managers engaged and motivated, but sometimes it backfires, prompting them to start looking for an exit from the company. That’s because the new responsibilities that facilitate on-the-job learning can take them well beyond their comfort zones, making them feel frustrated, angry, or fearful of failure. Yet certain managers seem to thrive in this kind of adversity. How can you predict who will be turned off by an unpleasant career-development move and who will react positively?”
From Jack Zenger: Sense And Nonsense In Leadership Development
“There is a great deal of nonsense that has been written about leadership. It includes meaningless statements such as, ‘Managers do things right; leaders do the right things,’ or, ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way,’ and goes downhill from there. The torrent of clichés and non-actionable ideas is never ending.”