The VanDerbeck Group - Leadership Development and Coaching - Executive coaching in Brunswick, Atlanta and Cincinnati

I have enjoyed reading Guy Kawasaki's blog over the past several weeks.

In today's installment, he offers a fictional interview the Jeffrey Pfeffer based on his new book, "What Were They Thinking?: Unconventional Wisdom About Management"

Question 8: What is the proper role for a CEO?

Answer: To develop others and their talents and to create an environment in which people can do their best and want to. It is not to make all the decisions or, like some kind of “sun king,” absorb all the light and the attention. In fact, sometimes, as the Grammy-award winning Orpheus Chamber orchestra shows, the best leadership is less leadership. No seed can grow if it is dug up and examined every week, and for people to innovate and get things done, sometimes they need some time and space and resources.

People development is taking it's rightful place at the top of the list for the CEO's time and attention. Jack Welch, possibly the CEO with the greatest commitment to this over the past 30 years, spent a lot of his time driving his organization (G.E.) to develop great people.One of the best investments a company can make is helping leaders at all levels learn how to invest in their people. Personality testing and the subsequent team building opportunity is a great place to start. Executive coaching (which Tom Peters says is one of the most valuable things a leader should get) is the next logical step. The Birkman Method  is a fantastic tool in this area. It offers probably the most comprehensive overview of a person's interests, needs (what Pfeffer calls environment), productive behaviors and unproductive behaviors.

So... how's your people development going?