ACE advises: After reading a Korn Ferry article and reflecting on my coaching clients, I realized we often view problems in isolated parts instead of as systems. Fix this or fix that and move on. In mid-size or small businesses, leadership changes are felt immediately. When one person leaves, gets overwhelmed or steps away, the impact is palpable. “Companies with a strong leadership pipeline are … 2.9 times more likely to have a high success rate when filling leadership roles internally,” according to the DDI Global Research Forecast. Building a leadership pipeline isn’t a luxury — it’s systemic and a necessity for stability and growth.
For small business leaders, developing future leaders starts with everyday work. Look at who you have, and their potential will show if they:
- Take ownership without being asked
- Solve problems for others
- Care about how decisions affect customers and coworkers.
Giving these individuals chances to lead a project, mentor a teammate or make decisions builds leadership muscle without adding layers of bureaucracy. Be patient.
New leaders are still close to the work and now they must prioritize, delegate and think beyond their own tasks. Clear expectations, regular check-ins and honest feedback help them succeed. Even informal mentoring can provide critical perspective and confidence. This is a transition for a new leader.
When people understand what leadership looks like and how they can grow into it, they stay engaged and invested. Over time, this creates flexibility: others can step in, decisions don’t bottleneck and the business becomes less dependent on any single individual. Adam Grant, an organizational expert, says, “The best leaders don’t create followers; they inspire others to become leaders.”
A strong leadership pipeline helps small businesses scale sustainably. It protects the owner’s time, strengthens the team and creates a foundation for long-term success.
Francis Eberle an Association for Consulting Expertise board member, is affiliated with Price Associates and is a leadership and organizational advisor, speaker and author. He can be reached at francis@price-associates.com.
