How often do we examine what we believe? When it comes to developing other people as leaders it’s crucial.

Let me tell you about Elina. She’s a director who is forever putting people into situations where they are fully stretched – situations which might be perceived as high risk but which Elina is absolutely clear are great opportunities for them – and their leadership – to shine. She is also absolutely passionate about the difference she wants her department and her team to make and when she sees a spark in people she goes out of her way to extol them, promote them and build their confidence further. Her belief in people is so strong, it propels them into showing up at their best and taking on challenges that they would normally feel were beyond them. Not surprisingly her people walk through walls for her.

What Elina taught me is that great leaders are unstoppable in their development of leadership in the people around them. Such leaders know there will be occasional slip-ups but they use their belief to drive that sense of hope, purpose and ambition that so many people (and organisations) yearn for.

Leadership nudge:  Who needs to know just how much you believe in them? And with that belief what opportunity might you encourage them to take?

By Anthony Landale

Learn more about Anthony Landale, the author of this article.