I often hear or see leaders who complain about the perceived lack of new leaders. "Where are they? People aren't as committed as they used to be. This younger generation is nothing but an entitled bunch of misfits! And the older people are no better!" And on and on it goes, ad infinitum, ad nauseum.
With tongue firmly in cheek, here are five ways to keep new leaders from emerging within your organization:
1. Communicate a complete lack of confidence. Say things like, "We can't find anyone else to do this, and you're probably not the first choice we would normally go to, but we're in a fix, and you're all we've got right now. As soon as someone better comes along, we'll probably go with him/her." Since every new(er) person has never before done the job, it's too easy to portray a hesitant spirit toward them. When the new or younger leader senses your hesitancy, they sense your lack of confidence in them to do the job well.
2. Give them accountability without authority. Make sure they are held to a very high standard, but don't give them the tools they need to do the job. Hamstring them with no power to carry any of their responsibilities out. The key here is to hold them accountable - no matter what.
3. Create an atmosphere of criticism. Keep people on edge. Even when giving words of encouragement or praise, make sure they are expecting, "but..." Insure that they think and move in the belief that anything short of perfection is unacceptable. And when they fail to attain it, come down on them - hard - and preferably publicly.
4. Emphasize how much pressure they will be under. "The last person in your position couldn't cut it!" Leaders who don't want others to grow and flourish under their leadership assure their subordinates that failures will be summarily fired.
5. Expect results too soon. "I need you on top of this in a couple of weeks. I'll be back to check on you." Leave them out to dry. Give them no context, no direction, no guidance, and no support. But demand results - and the quicker the better.
And there we have it; now go and do the opposite!