You’ve worked hard to build your career and/or company—putting in the long hours, making the tough calls, and solving the problems no one else could. Along the way, maybe you’ve looked at others in your organization and thought:
“Why can’t they step up and lead the way I do?”
If you’ve tried developing someone into a leader before and ended up frustrated, you’re not alone. It’s tempting to think: People don’t change. Leaders are born, not made.
Many have asked: “Are leaders born or made?” And here’s the truth: Leadership can absolutely be developed—when it’s done the right way.
The Hard Evidence: Leadership Development That Works
If you’re skeptical, you’re in good company. Some companies resist investing in leadership development because they’ve seen it fail before. But here’s what the numbers—and the success stories—say:
1. Leadership Development Drives Profitability
Harvard Business Review reports that companies investing in leadership development see 14-29% higher profitability. Why? Because leaders make better decisions, inspire innovation, and keep their teams motivated and engaged.
For example:
- A retail chain reduced employee turnover by 15% after training store managers on team communication and accountability. What could this kind of savings in hiring and retraining costs mean to your company?
2. Real Leaders Already Exist in Your Organization
A manufacturing company identified a line operator who showed strong teamwork skills. With targeted coaching in decision-making and delegation, he became a department manager—and increased team productivity by 10% in just one year.
Development isn’t about forcing people to change; it’s about uncovering and amplifying the strengths they already have.
3. It Works for the Best of the Best
Even industry giants like Google believe in leadership development. Google’s “Project Oxygen” initiative focused on coaching managers, and the result?
- Happier employees.
- Higher performance.
- Lower turnover.
If it works for Google, imagine what it could do for your team.
What’s the Cost of Doing Nothing?
Without strong leaders in place, the risks multiply:
- Burnout: Managers feel overwhelmed trying to carry underperforming teams.
- Turnover: High performers leave because they don’t see a path for growth.
- Inefficiency: Poor decisions and lack of accountability drain time and money.
Here’s the bottom line: A lack of leadership development isn’t just frustrating—it’s costing your business.
How to Shift the Narrative
Leadership development doesn’t mean changing who someone is. It’s about giving them the tools to thrive. Here’s how:
- Focus on Strengths: Identify what someone already does well and build on it.
- Teach Practical Leadership Skills: Things like handling conflict, making strategic decisions, and motivating teams can be learned.
- Provide Opportunities to Practice: Growth happens when people are empowered to make decisions, even if they make mistakes.
Start small. Look for one person on your team who’s shown potential. Give them a meaningful challenge: run a project, solve a problem, or lead a meeting. Then, provide guidance and feedback.
The Payoff for Your Business
Imagine this:
- Your managers confidently solving problems without needing you to step in.
- Your team stepping up with new ideas and initiatives.
- Your company thriving because you’ve built a bench of strong, capable leaders.
This isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s what happens when leadership development is done right.
Your Next Step
I’ve spent 30 years coaching leaders in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, and I’ve seen firsthand how leadership development transforms businesses. If you’re ready to see these results in your organization, let’s start the conversation. Click here to give your managers the tools to be their best. Together, we can prove that leadership isn’t just born—it’s made.
To your success,
Bobbie Goheen
P.S. Don’t wait for leaders to magically appear in your business. Start building them today. Your bottom line will thank you.
For a more in-depth understanding, you might consider reviewing the following resources:
