“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality through planning.” – Warren Bennis (pioneer of the contemporary field of Leadership Studies)

What is a personal leadership development plan?

A personal leadership development plan is basically a roadmap to success. Many professional business people map out a plan of where they desire to be in the future. Typically, such a plan outlines both short-term and long-term goals, with a timeline of anywhere from 1-10 years, depending upon the complexity of the goal and resources required to attain it.

Why is it important to create a personal leadership development plan?

Studies have shown that those who create and use a written personal leadership development plan are far more successful than those who don’t. Some statistics state those who utilize such a plan place as high as the top 3 percent of their industries. That’s a pretty compelling figure. The possibility of such success is a great motivating factor for creating and regularly reviewing your own personal leadership development plan.

What elements are included in a personal leadership development plan?

There is no set formula for creating your plan, but it should include enough information to answer two main questions: “Where do I want to be in _ years?” and “What do I need to do to get there?” So, the basics are the main goal, the time-frame in which to achieve the goal, and a list of resources and/or education and training needed to accomplish your goal.

In order to answer those two questions, one must first have an idea or vision of what you hope to do. You may wish to include a personal mission statement in your plan. A personal leadership development plan can also include a list of your strengths and competencies, blind spots, mentors, steps or tasks with target completion dates, and some sort of evaluation or review process.

As you list out your primary goal, think of specific strategies and tactics you’ll use to reach that goal. Break those down into do-able tasks. Reward yourself as you reach the goals within the goal. This step in the personal leadership development plan will give you confidence as you work toward your ultimate goal.

Feedback and realignment of your goals will be a vital element of your success. Another key to success in attaining your main goal is the actual selection of that goal. Successful goal-achievement includes choosing a goal that is both measurable and attainable, set with a realistic timeline. The goal should also be one you’re interested in attaining, otherwise the work you put in to creating your personal leadership development plan will be in vain.

What else is needed to create a successful personal leadership development plan?

As you’re going through the resources needed, don’t forget one of the most important assets in goal-achievement: people. Relationships are key to your success, whether they be mentors, coalitions of like-minded persons, family and friends to encourage you along the journey, business networking, or leadership trainers.

Other helpful tools include experience you gain by volunteering, associations and industry-related periodicals, practicing your skills, and training.

Should leadership training seminars be part of your plan?

Leadership training seminars are a useful tool for attaining a higher level of personal and business development, and can aid you in the success of your personal leadership development plan.

Randy Frazier conducts leadership training seminars on a variety of topics with a focus on the theme, Leadership Takes Courage. Professional leadership training can help you or your group stay motivated as you follow your path toward success – your personal leadership development plan.

 

 

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