Making the best leaders out of your employees

By Ruth Nakandi

When you receive a promotion or a new position at your work place, you will need to mentor one of your employees to stand in your shoes when you are not around. That means that you will need to be preparing your employees for leadership now.

Peter Simon Karungi, the assistant manager of Delight studios in Kasanga was entrusted in this position after taking the responsibility of leading his fellow employees when his boss was not around. The boss was impressed by his good work. He trained him and promoted him to be the assistant manager.

Richard Byamukama, the proprietor of Byamukama fabrications company and restaurant says that good leaders know that one responsibility of being a manager is encouraging employees to take initiative and lead themselves.

‘’ It is so important because it will foster a more engaged, trusting and productive environment at the work place.’’ he notes.

He adds that managers who have a strong leadership team can delegate out tasks without having to worry about how they will get done and who will do them.

Richard says that creating an environment of leadership is an ongoing journey at the work place. Knowing your employees’ strengths and interests is the first step in encouraging leadership.

“We tend to focus on the weakness of our employees most of the time but emphasizing strength can unlock leadership potential in your team. He notes.

Richard adds that managers of the work place should let their employees to make meaningful decisions as a way of leadership training.

“If you cannot trust your employees to make decisions, they will always be hesitant. Trust them, give them the opportunity to make meaningful decisions or own a project to develop their own leadership’ ’he advices.

Richard also says that managers should encourage questions from their employees and never make them feel bad for asking them.

‘’ By communicating that it is ok to take calculated risks, your team will have confidence to grow professionally.’’ He adds.

Monica Mwesigwe, proprietor of Byamukama fabrications company and restaurant says that managers should push their employees out of the comfortable zone because outside the comfortable zone, they are forced to think and change tactics. This will improve their leadership skills.

‘’Projects outside of the employees’ comfortable zone gives them the opportunity to build confidence and learn to seek answers on their own.’’ She advices.

Monica says that leadership at the work place isn’t built without investment and engagement. Employers should get their employees excited about taking the initiative by talking to them about their role and that role within the bigger picture.

She adds that employees need to be somewhat hands off to allow employees gain leadership skills and reason out things on their own.

“You will also need to be a resource and a mentor. Be available to point them in the right direction if they get stuck but do not do the work for them. Meet with them regularly to discuss their growth, what they are struggling with and their ideas.”

God bless you.

ENDS