During a recent Leadership Development workshop I led, someone asked a thoughtful question: “How is a leader’s effectiveness measured?”

At first glance, the answer is simple: if the company, department, or team is hitting its numbers, then the leader must be effective.

But I disagree. That wasn’t my answer.

Yes, results matter. But real leadership success is reflected in the growth of your people. If your team members are developing new skills, gaining knowledge, and becoming more effective in executing the plan, that’s true leadership success.

My core belief is this:

  • People growth = Business growth.
  • Lack of people growth = Business in decline.

So, every leader should ask themselves: Who is succeeding because of you?

Who on your team has grown in their leadership because of your influence?

Leadership is influence, yes, but its true function is to develop more leaders, not followers. When you do that, you create a multiplier effect that drives sustained success.

In my view, choosing to lead means committing to helping your people grow in the critical skills that make them—and your organization—more effective. That’s how I define leadership success.