When you don’t focus on performance or development, you and your team are at risk.

• When you only focus on performance, over time, there is high turnover and burnout.
• When you only focus on development, you tend to retain only middle to low-tier talent.
• When you focus on both simultaneously, you get high engagement and results. 

Practical Steps to Prioritize Results and Development 

There are many ways to prioritize both short-term results and long-term development. However, some common themes have emerged from studying over 65,000 leaders over the last eleven years. Here are some of their best practices.

1. Establish and Identify Goals – This might seem obvious, but you would be shocked how many managers haven’t established clear targets for their people.  If that weren’t bad enough, too many managers don’t take the time to ask team members about their personal dreams and goals.  Said differently, “How are you supposed to lead someone well if you don’t know where they want to go?”
2. Adopt a Coaching Mindset – Instead of solving every problem or telling team members exactly how to do something, coach employees on how to solve challenges independently.  Help them use their critical thinking skills to come up with solutions with the use of great coaching questions.  This is an excellent time to remind you of a quote from Michael Bungay Stanier, “Stay curious longer and rush to advice slower.”
3. Create a Culture of Learning – In Accelerate Leadership, I defined culture as the shared values and beliefs that guide thinking and behavior.  If you are going to create a culture of learning, which is a shared belief, you must prioritize learning and sharing knowledge. Encourage team members to read, listen to podcasts,  attend workshops, and pursue learning opportunities with ferocious action. It’s important to remember that your actions will always be more powerful than your words.  If you aren’t participating in these things, don’t expect your team to. 

Closing

As a leader, knowing how to balance the pursuit of results with fostering employee development isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Prioritizing one over the other may lead to temporary success or satisfaction, but integrating both can drive long-term impact for your team and organization. Remember, every employee wants to feel challenged yet supported in their growth journey. By striving for this balance, you are achieving professional success for yourself and nurturing innovation and ambition within your team. 

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.“ – Harvey S. Firestone

Now is the time to be outcome-focused while maintaining a servant’s heart and a team-first mindset.