100 GREAT BUSINESS IDEAS • 209into their fi rst people-management role, when moving from self to
people leadership. There is also a focus on specialist roles such as
legal, accountancy, marketing, and fi nance.
The advantage of managing leadership transitions is that it provides
a framework for leadership development, highlights what success
looks like at each stage, and describes how to improve skills—from
new employees to top executives. It also ensures consistency across
the business, and, above all, explains how to prepare for career
advancement.
The leadership pipeline meets three business needs. It provides
clarity about what is required, it makes the right development
accessible for all, and it helps to focus development activities.
Individuals benefi t greatly from a clear, transparent career path.
In practice
- Identify the different stages or levels of leadership within
your business. - For each level, decide: a) what skills are required, b) what
activities are involved and what leaders at that level actually do,
c) how a leader needs to prepare for the next level—what
skills and activities are missing that will be needed at the
higher level? - Provide practical processes and tools, such as personal
development planning, coaching, and development programs to
help make the transition.