The “Leadership Pipeline” model can be scaled for small and large companies and includes six major leadership passages. For example, in a small company of less than twenty people, the only real passage is a variation on the first one, Managing Self to Managing Others. The owner usually moves from individual contributor to managing others. It is only once you begin to hire others that these passages of leadership start to occur.
In the small business version of this model, the work within the group and enterprise levels is done by the Business Manager. The Functional Manager and Manager of Others levels are combined so there are really only four levels to address.
The small business model looks like this.
Level 1: Manage Self
Level 2: Manage Others
Level 3: Functional Manager
Level 4: Business Manager
Let’s take apart a couple of the levels and see how we can help our people become better leaders.
When one is effective at the “managing self” level, one’s skill requirements are primarily technical or professional. One contributes by doing the assigned work within given time frames and in ways that meet objectives. From a time application standpoint, the learning involves planning (so the work is completed on time), punctuality, content, quality, and reliability. The work values to be developed include acceptance of the company culture and adopting professional standards. When people demonstrate an ability to handle these responsibilities and adhere to the company’s values, they are often promoted to first-line manager.
| Managing Self | |
| Skill Requirements | Do the assigned work within given time frames and in ways that meet objectives |
| Time applications | Plan so work is completed on time, be punctual, deliver quality content and be reliable |
| Work Values | Accept the company’s culture and adopt professional standards |
This high performer is now ready for the first leadership stage. Let’s see what s/he needs to do to become effective in her/his new role.
| From Managing Self to Managing Others | |
| Skill Requirements | Plan work, fill jobs, assign work, motivate, coach and measure the work of others. There are some individual contributions to the work product. |
| Time Applications | Reallocate time so that one’s own work is completed and help others perform effectively. Set priorities for unit and team. Stop putting out fires, seizing opportunities and handling tasks themselves. |
| Work Values | Delegate and get results through others. Value managerial work (rather than tolerating it) and the success of others. The passage begins a shift toward a great emphasis on planning. |
| Signs this Level Has Not Been Mastered |
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| Management’s Role in this Transition | Create measures so that these performers make the transition effectively. Survey the direct reports to get feedback. Intervene and coach extensively when problems are observed. . Reinforce the need to shift beliefs and guide the leader in becoming effective using the new skills that are required. |
As you can see, to be successful at managing others, our manager will have to shift from many of the things that made him or her successful when he was accountable for only his work. There must be a shift from “doing work” to getting work done through others.
In our next post, we’ll look at the remaining levels of the small business model outlined in Ram Charan’s and Stephen Drotter’s book, The Leadership Pipeline.
Strategy Insight 