You have an ambitious team member who is working toward a promotion. They’re great at their job, but are they cut out to lead others? Measure their potential by gauging their interest in managing. Ask them what they believe management entails and what their approach would be. Inquire about any experience they’ve had outside of work that could provide useful preparation. Have they been in charge of an athletic team or a squad of volunteers? And give them opportunities to practice their management skills. Ask them to lead an upcoming project or spearhead a new initiative so you can observe them in action, paying close attention to their style and how they comport themselves. Lastly, be sure to seek out others’ opinions — not just your peers’ but the candidate’s coworkers as well. They’ll have a unique perspective on whether the person is up to the task.
Adapted from "Is Your Employee Ready to Be a Manager?" by Rebecca Knight
