How can employer help workers become leaders?

Owner can be instrumental in skills development

Leadership skills can be learned. You can expect all employees to possess self-leadership skills on hire: willingness to learn, ability to set personal goals, individual control of behavior and responsibility for individual actions.

In addition, different job levels require different levels of leadership skills.  For example, an executive should possess the ability to conceptualize and articulate a strategic global vision for the company; to continually encourage all to strive for a certain goal; and to be interpersonally competent as a coach to a diverse work force. Leadership skills for expert workers of any function or discipline should include planning well; anticipating problems; persuading others to contribute to projects; and continually looking for better ways to meet customer needs without being directed to do so.

If a potential employee does not yet possess the leadership skills appropriate for the job, the owner can provide developmental experiences to be practiced and learned on the job. Also, challenging assignments with cross-functional co-workers are an excellent way to develop leadership skills for promotional opportunities.