Building capacity in people
A leader's ability to build capacity in people is capped by their own capacity.
Wow…I found this to be a profound statement. It's perhaps the strongest endorsement for bettering ourselves as leaders.
So, what does it mean to build capacity? Here are three possible ways that come to mind:
1. See where people are and where they can go. Recognize what they are able to achieve now artistically, and imagine so clearly where they could be a year from now. Or 5 years from now. Or even after 3 rehearsals. At a particular point in the future, we can ask: what would they be able to do more of? What new things would they be able to do they weren't able to before? Recognizing the room for growth is first and foremost to building capacity.
When I know how to see where I am and where I can go and help myself get there, I have the capability to help others do the same.
2. See what is in the way. Many of us work hard - really hard. We can easily come to believe that working harder is the solution. More hours spent practicing will surely lead to better results. It's hard to stop and notice what the real challenges are, recognize our own responsibilities in creating them. Improving our efficiency and effectiveness builds our capacity.
When we don't have that awareness for ourselves, it's difficult to be able to help others see it in themselves.
3. Create the space necessary for growth. For us to grow, we need a vacuum. We need an uncomfortable space to be filled with different things that come with positive change. This space doesn't often appear on its own. We have to create it. Maybe it's saying no, slowing down, making an unconventional choice, etc. It's a skill we can learn to get better at.
When we are not well practiced at creating space for our own growth, it's hard to hold that space for others.
So, building our own capacity - to see potential, remove obstacles, and create space - will allow us to increase our ability to build capacity in the people we lead.
What can you do to increase your capacity by 1%? 5%? 10%? Any little bit helps.
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