Q. "When is an employee or volunteer ready for a leadership role?"
Answer:
While there's no way to tell for sure, there are indicators someone is ready for a leadership role. These include effective communication, inspiring/motivating others, resolving conflicts while minimizing drama, adapting to change, and taking accountability for the work of the team.
If there’s an employee or volunteer you’d like to promote, but they haven’t expressed interest in leadership, schedule a meeting to discuss the idea. Share what a leader looks like in your organization and why you feel they are a good fit. Ask about their goals and how they would like to serve and possibly advance within the organization. Let them know how you can support them with these goals whether or not they move into a leadership track.
If the individual is interested in leadership, paint a clear picture of the responsibilities, training, and guidance they’ll receive in the new role. Promotions into leadership too often come with little discussion about how the leadership role will be different from the current role or whether the employee has the interest or skill set to be an effective leader.