Tom Peters famously said, “Great leaders do not create followers, they create more leaders.”
But in today’s fast-changing world, leadership isn’t just about guiding people—it’s about growing them. The question isn’t just What does good leadership look like? It’s What does great leadership look like?
The answer? Great leaders empower others to lead.
As I moved up the corporate ladder, the only reason I progressed as quickly as I did was because I had leaders who empowered me. They didn’t just give me tasks to complete—they encouraged me to think for myself, solve problems, and develop my own self-leadership. They treated me like a leader in the making, not just a team member following orders.
That approach shaped how I led my own teams. I invested time and energy—time that some leaders claim they don’t have—into one-on-ones, accountability practices, and real development conversations. And I saw the results.
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is believing they’re too busy to develop others. But the Global Leadership Forecast 2025 reveals a stark truth: 71% of leaders report increased stress, and 40% are considering leaving their roles due to burnout.
Now, imagine if those stressed-out leaders had someone ready to step up and share the load. Imagine if organisations had strong leadership pipelines because senior leaders had prioritised developing others.
The cost of not growing new leaders is clear: lack of trust, dwindling engagement, and a leadership pipeline on the verge of collapse.
If you want to build strong leaders within your team, it starts with consistent habits:
Great leadership isn’t about power—it’s about passing it on. And in a world where leaders are burning out and leadership pipelines are thinning, the best thing you can do is invest in the leaders of tomorrow.
So, ask yourself: Are you creating more followers, or are you creating more leaders?
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