We recently completed a project that has us thinking about the concept of leadership. The project was a branding and philanthropy initiative for Leadership Columbus. Our work included brand definition, logo and theme, and collateral materials to support a capital campaign.

Until we began working on this assignment, we hadn’t really considered where leaders come from, or where and how to find them. Here, like in most companies, leaders simply seem to emerge. 

Organizations such as Leadership Columbus exist to create leaders who are well informed and engaged in the communities they serve. The goal is to nurture leaders who respond to challenges with ideas and energy. Their job never ends. Because the need for leadership is unending.

Every major city in America has organizations with missions similar to Leadership Columbus. So the concept of creating an unending supply of leaders is well established in the civic world. And has been for a long time. In fact, Leadership Columbus is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

Knowing this, we began to wonder what a similar approach to leadership development within the business world might yield? We’re thinking about something more than associates attending a conference or two each year. Or giving people more responsibility. Rather, we’re thinking about the impact of a comprehensive leadership development program designed to inspire an entire company of people to respond to challenges with ideas and energy. It seems like a recipe for success to us.

Would it generate better ideas? Improve performance? Increase productivity?

Of course, some would question the premise entirely. Not everyone can be a leader. Some people have to follow, right? We would respond to that with a question of our own. Why?

We’ll keep thinking about how a program like that could be built and implemented. In the meantime, if you have ideas to share on the topic, we’d like to hear from you.