The Nurturing Leader

Some of the steps involved in growing living things include tilling the ground, planting the seeds, watering it, and providing the proper lighting. A key step in the process, however, is nurture. Dictionary.com uses powerful words like feed and protect, support and encourage, and train and educate to describe the word nurture.
According to John Maxwell, everything rises and falls on the leader. Ultimately, the leader is responsible for everything that happens. When people don’t grow, it falls on the leader. I want the developing leaders in my company to focus on learning the skills necessary to help people who report to them grow. Their job is to nurture their people (feed, protect, support, encourage, train, and educate) so they can grow to fulfill their employment responsibilities.

I know, they’re thinking, “But, I don’t currently have anyone to lead!” That’s right, and if they don’t learn these valuable leadership tools, they won’t ever have anyone to lead. The whole point of the focus on leadership is to grow the company, and with that growth comes people they will need to lead. I am relying on them to become the top level leader they need to become to help our company reach our awesome vision.