3 ways to promote leadership growth in times of uncertainty

The demands placed on businesses and organizations since the beginning of this decade have been extraordinary. How we work was fundamentally changed by the pandemic, and things are continuing to change even three years later. Today, much of that change has to do with the uncertainty that we have all been navigating.

As the business world continues to navigate through these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to have strong leaders and managers in place to guide your organization through the challenges ahead. But how do you grow leaders and managers during times of uncertainty?

In this post, we will share three key strategies you can employ to empower your leaders to continue growing, to better manage all that is coming their way in 2023, and to better support the members of their teams.

Invest in training and development

One of the most effective ways to grow leaders and managers at your company is through training and development programs. These programs can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take on greater responsibilities and lead teams through difficult times.

There are a variety of training and development options to choose from, including traditional classroom-style training, online courses, and on-the-job training. Some of the most effective training and development programs will include a mix of all three of these options. For example, you might start by providing an online course on leadership and management to give individuals a foundational understanding of the key concepts and principles such as leading with purpose, coaching, offering feedback, and more.

Next, you might bring in a coach or mentor to provide one-on-one guidance and support as individuals apply what they’ve learned on the job. Finally, you might provide on-the-job training opportunities for individuals to lead teams or projects, allowing them to put their new skills and knowledge into practice in real-world situations.

Provide coaching and mentoring

Coaching and mentoring are also essential for growing leaders and managers during times of uncertainty. These programs provide individuals with one-on-one guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of leading teams and managing projects. Coaching and mentoring can take many forms, including one-on-one sessions with a coach or mentor, group coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer mentoring. The key is to provide individuals with the guidance and support they need to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful leaders and managers.

For example, you might provide one-on-one coaching sessions with a leadership coach to help individuals develop their communication and conflict resolution skills. If you’re at all familiar with Bravely, you’ll know that our Bravely Pros — well-vetted, professional coaches that we partner with to offer coaching to entire organizations — have been supporting everyone from entry-level individual contributors to seasoned executive leaders. You might also provide group coaching sessions where individuals can learn from one another and share best practices. And you might establish a peer-to-peer mentoring program where more experienced leaders and managers can provide guidance and support to those who are newer to leadership roles.

Implement micro-learning content

Another effective strategy for growing leaders and managers during times of uncertainty is to implement micro-learning content. Micro-learning is a form of learning that delivers small, focused pieces of content in short bursts, typically no more than 10-15 minutes in length. This approach is ideal for busy professionals who need to learn on the go and during their downtime.

Micro-learning can take many forms, including short videos, infographics, and interactive quizzes. The key is to make the content engaging and relevant so that individuals can quickly absorb and retain the information they need to be effective leaders and managers.

For example, you might create a series of short videos on leadership and management topics such as communication, team building, and decision making. You might also create interactive quizzes that test individuals on the key concepts and principles they’ve learned. And you might create infographics that provide quick and easy-to-digest summaries of key points.

During times of uncertainty, it is essential to have strong leaders and managers in place to guide your organization forward. Investing in training and development, providing coaching and mentoring, and implementing micro-learning content are all effective strategies for growing leaders and managers at your company. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, you’ll be better positioned to navigate the uncertainty and come out on top.

If you’re interested in learning about how we at Bravely can support you and your company, check out Bravely Learning, our first-of-its-kind learning platform. With coaching at its core, Bravely Learning maximizes employee development and boosts retention of learning, improving L&D ROI.