Succession Planning, Part 3: What Young Leaders Need to Know

Young leaders: do you intentionally strive to absorb as much as you can from the experienced leaders around you?

Tapping into others’ experience is a powerful way to accelerate your own learning curve and at the same time, prepare yourself to help move your organization forward.

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Such was the case with Timothy, a young convert identified by church elders as one with tremendous potential (1 Timothy 1:18). Paul designated Timothy to be his missionary companion and invested in him. As “Timothy proved himself” (Philippians 2:22), Paul entrusted him with increasing responsibilities, including leading several new churches, teaching believers, and serving as an advance man for one of Pauls’ extended journeys.

In effective succession planning, both mature and younger leaders understand the need to work together. Here’s how young leaders can get – and give – the most during the process.

Great Attitudes for Young Leaders

A teachable spirit
A teachable spirit can be your greatest asset. Positions can be eliminated. In contrast, acquired skills become a part of your package. As you work alongside an experienced mentor, focus less on preparing for a specific position and more on gaining skills and experience. In doing so you become employable instead of just employed.

Respect
If a mentor has identified you as an up-and-coming leader, make sure you prove worthy of that trust. If you’re seeking out a mentor, approach veteran leaders with an attitude of respect and humility. As you share your fresh new ideas with your mentor, listen carefully to advice and invite coaching, rather than dismissing it out of hand. Potential can be easily squandered by an attitude of pride or entitlement.

What Young Leaders Need to Know About Experienced Leaders

Experienced leaders have practical knowledge
Authentic achievement is built in a series of personal life events. A veteran leader has a repertoire of those experiences. Take advantage of that history – vicariously. Invite your mentor to share as many personal stories as possible, even asking him to connect the dots and explain the benefits of those experiences.

Experienced leaders are human
Perhaps your mentor has an abrupt manner or is easily threatened. Or she is disorganized where you are neat and orderly. In too many instances, young leaders with potential allow personal preferences to get in the way of tremendous learning opportunities. Don’t let that happen. You needn’t be subject to your mentor’s idiosyncrasies forever. For now, let those quirks slide. A season of learning is just that – a season.

While the opportunity to work with a mentor allows you the chance to learn, it also presents a surprising twist: the chance to give. Young leaders with willing hearts can offer a powerful encouragement to experienced leaders by partnering with them in the process of succession.

You may even be your mentor’s answer to prayer – one who will carry on his work, build his legacy, and even strengthen it – as you carry on the work of the Kingdom into the future.Young workers: do you intentionally strive to absorb as much as you can from the experienced leaders around you?