How to Equip Leaders

In the team, you as the leader always want to get things done. It is not just simply telling people what do they need to do. It will not develop their true potential in the team. Without utilizing their potential, meaning you put your own mind into a team’s work, you cannot gain benefits from working as a team.

According to John C. Maxwell, in the book ‘How SuccessfulPeople Lead’, He found best methods to help others do their jobs well. It is called five-step process for equipping people:

Step 1 — I do it (competence)

This is the first step where you try to show them what you are capable to do. It is pretty easy and straightforward, that you take part of the things that need to be done. However, it feels like competition and might feel you put your ego at the first place. Don’t get it wrong! you are helping your team in taking down things to-do. Before you lead, or move to the next step (demonstration), you must understand it first at its best.

Step 2— I do it and you are with me (demonstration)

After you able to do things alone, it is time to step up your game. Demonstration is good way help you understand more into something. While you’re demonstrating, you let them get into your world. Unconsciously, you give them knowledge that is raised at the same level as yours. Keep your communication open as they will not understand if you do it quietly.

Step 3— You do it and I am with you (coaching)

This step is slightly harder, as you give them some trust to do things. They might not meet your expectation and it might let you down. This is where your patience as leader will be tested. People make mistakes. Let them know where did they get it wrong, and let them experience and study it. Always keep in mind that as the great leader, you are the captain of your crews. Grow up your trust towards them and you are ready for the next step.

Step 4 — You do it (empowerment)

As you cannot always be side-by-side with your team, you might want to give your 100% trust to them. By giving your trust, you build their confidence. Confidence is the key for your success, their success, and the team’s success. They might feel that they’re well-trusted and keep it at constant pace. Well, I’m afraid to say that you might not be able to proceed to the next step. Even though you trust and empower them, you still need to guide them at back.

Step 5— You do it and someone is with you (reproduction)

This is the hardest part, where you build leadership skills inside people you taught before. This trust is not to get things done effectively, but towards get things done efficiently. It grows your team’s productivity, because you are not spending time to teach others over and over again. In good case, where one of your team able to reach step 5, your team’s productivity will grow exponentially.

By analyzing these five steps, it helps you to equip others to be effective in carrying out tasks. For some tasks this may be a relatively short time, depending on the depth and complexity of the task itself. But it could take some considerable time when the task is complex and difficult to manage.

These steps are not linear, meaning you can use any steps, even after reaching Step 5. These steps are believed not only improving the team’s productivity, but also relationships in your team.

Maxwell talks a lot about equipping people, which means empowering them to make decisions, solve their own problems, identify growth opportunities, and build a legacy. These steps are a good way to ensure the person is equipped with the knowledge and background to lower and mitigate the risks of failure. At its core, the five-step process for equipping people offers proven principles that provide a blueprint for developing a strong leadership culture and establishing a environment for empowerment.