Grow Not Go

I was speaking with Bret Dalton of the Dalton Group and he made a great point:

It's not always a good idea to promote the COO to CEO.

This applies at all levels.

Too often people focus on how to get promoted when their current job may be the best opportunity to align their natural strengths with their job responsibilities.

Bret mentioned that when Jesus sent out His disciples it was two-by-two. He thinks this is because none of us alone has all the skills to complete work competently. So Jesus paired them up so the skills of one compensated for the weaknesses of the other and vice-versa.

COO's are not necessarily great CEO's. The skill set is often quite different, but when matched properly they can be a powerful mix. (Bret should know because he is one of the most highly respected executive recruiters in the country for Christian ministries.)

For instance, the success of an American president is greatly affected by their chief of staff. Larry Ellison was tremendously successful with Ray Lane as his COO... Bill Gates balanced Steve Ballmer...

That's why we work in teams. Sometimes it's two of us. Other times it's many more.

The bottom line: Considering focusing on how to

Grow

to become the best you can be in your current position. It may be much more fulfilling than trying to

Go

to the next promotion.

I am not against getting promoted. I am just suggesting if you focus on Grow then you will achieve greater results and create more Go opportunities to consider in the future.

Be an intentional leader.

Staff Meeting Questions

Grow Not Go

is about becoming the best you can be in your current role and then considering new opportunities that align with your natural strengths.

Here are some potential questions for your next staff meeting to challenge your people to consider how they are growing in your organization:

• What three actions are you taking this week to increase your skills, knowledge or professional relationships?

• What are your three greatest natural strengths, starting with your top strength first?

• What are the three greatest natural strengths of the 1-3 people with whom you work most often, starting with their top strength first?

• What is one way you could exchange work with someone else because your current task is better suited to their natural strengths?

• What work could they give to you because it better aligns with your natural strengths?

For more on natural strengths, consider Talent Assessments.