Leadership skills are among the most highly desirable qualities in today's workforce. According to LinkedIn, offering learning opportunities is the #1 way to retain top talent. In monday.com's 2025 World of Work Report, we found that 40% of employees hope to develop leadership skills in the coming year. However, only 20% will rely solely on internal company resources to do so. Addressing this gap could be a powerful opportunity for managers to make a difference, not just in their employees' careers but also in their company's success.
Luckily, building leaders doesn't require a significant lift; the most meaningful growth often happens in the day-to-day when team members are empowered to take the initiative, solve problems, and step into greater responsibility. From first-time managers to individual contributors, allowing people to explore their leadership style builds more confident, capable, and authentic leaders over time.
So, how can you empower your team and equip them with the leadership skills they crave?
Unlock intrinsic talent
Helping your team members become more aware of their natural strengths is a great first step in developing them as leaders. Since it can be hard for people to recognize their own core competencies, try to support your employees by pointing out the areas where they naturally excel. For example, some individuals light up in big team meetings, while others make the biggest impact in one-on-ones or when leading a tight-knit group of specialists. You might even consider having your employees take a strengths test to uncover their innate abilities, then discuss the results together and ask how they might want to build on those strengths. From there, you can map out opportunities for them to flex their leadership skills in settings that feel right for them.
Key question: “What unique leadership skills do your employees bring to the table?”
Tie leadership to personal values
Understanding one's own values is key to developing authentic leadership, which has tremendous benefits. A study by BetterUp found that authentic leaders can boost team performance by as much as 50%. As you develop the leaders on your team, ask them what kinds of leaders they admire and why. Their answers will likely reveal what they truly value: curiosity, grit, creativity, or transparency. Once you've identified those values, encourage them to connect those ideals to a larger vision. For example, if someone values curiosity, consider having them lead the team in a research project. By cultivating genuine leadership styles, your employees are more likely to take pride in their work and feel inspired to continue developing their skills.
Key question: “How can you pinpoint your employees’ values and help them embody those ideals in their leadership?”
Identify small moments to lead
Once you and your employees have compiled a list of their natural talents and values, give them regular opportunities to practice their executive capabilities in the proper settings. Maybe this means running a weekly standup, onboarding a new team member, or presenting a report during an all-hands meeting. Small moments like these add up, and as employees experiment with different responsibilities, they'll start to find what leadership looks and feels like to them. Over time, these stretch moments sharpen skills and maybe even reveal strengths your employees didn't know they had.
Key question: “Is there a project, meeting, or initiative that one of your team members can lead?”
Let them try—and fail—safely
No one perfects their leadership style overnight. People need space to try things out, succeed, make mistakes, and figure out what to do differently without fear of judgment. That's why creating a sense of psychological safety is essential, where employees feel secure enough to take risks, speak up, and grow through experience. When one of your employees takes on a leadership role, resist the urge to micromanage or jump in to fix things. Instead, check in regularly to offer support and treat missteps as learning moments. This builds resilience and helps your employees understand the nuances of leadership. Also, this is the chance for them to decide what kind of leader they want to be, not just what type you want them to be.
Key question: “How can you create a supportive environment for your employees to practice their leadership skills without fear of failure?”
Model leadership as a journey
One of the most powerful ways to grow leaders is to be open about your own growth. Reflecting on your personal leadership journey by sharing the ups, downs, and lessons learned shows your team that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being curious, staying adaptable, and learning continuously. Whether it’s a story of a tough decision, a time you got it wrong, or a proud leadership win, letting your team in helps humanize leadership and encourages them to embrace the learning process. As a bonus, taking time to reflect with your team often makes you a stronger leader, too.
Key question: “What leadership lessons from your own journey could you share with your team?”
