Even if you have only two or three employees, developing the skills of those you want to keep long-term is essential to the success of your business.

How to Develop Your Superstar Employees

One of your core responsibilities as a manager is to develop the next generation of leaders. How can you help your superstar employees fulfill their potential? Here are three strategies. Measure their progress against key leadership competencies. These include team management, relationship building, and communication. Identify where your high potentials are already strong and where they can continue to grow. Help them boost their emotional intelligence. Specifically, focus on their self-awareness and empathy. Self-awareness can be learned through feedback and assessments, and empathy can be developed by focusing on inquiry, practicing active listening, and acknowledging different perspectives. Encourage a learning mindset. Becoming a leader requires growth beyond technical expertise. Encourage development of contextual intelligence: the ability to understand and operate in multiple contexts and adapt one’s style and approach accordingly. This means nudging high potentials to work and learn outside of their comfort zone.

This tip is adapted from “How to Help Superstar Employees Fulfill Their Potential,” by Anthony J. Mayo