Awaken the Leader Within: Why Measuring Your Leadership Skills Is the First Step to Success

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You’ve worked hard. You’ve delivered results. You’ve been recognized. And then it happens—your manager promotes you to a new role:
You’re now a people manager.
At first, it feels like a natural progression. But very quickly, you realize the game has changed. Your job is no longer about your own performance—it's about helping others perform at their best. And no one gave you a manual for that.
Welcome to one of the most misunderstood—and most important—roles in any organization.
The Reality: 82% of Managers Are “Accidental Leaders”

According to research by Gallup, 82% of managers are promoted without having the skills needed to manage people effectively. They were high-performing employees—great at getting things done—but were never trained in how to lead others.
As a result:

• 60% of new managers underperform in their first two years (CCL)
  
  
• Poor management is the #1 reason people leave their jobs (McKinsey)
  
  
• Only 1 in 3 employees are actively engaged at work (Gallup 2023)
  
  

It’s not because these managers don’t care. It’s because they’ve never been shown how to lead effectively.
From Performer to People Manager: A Critical Shift

When you’re a top performer, your success depends on your output. When you become a people manager, your success depends on how well you develop others.
"Your job isn’t to be the smartest person in the room. It’s to help your team shine the brightest."
But here’s the problem: most companies don’t have the proper systems, tools, or training to help new managers make that shift successfully.
They say “lead your team,” but never teach you how.
You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Measure

​Research shows that organizations that invest in structured leadership development outperform their competitors by up to 30% (McKinsey). That’s because great leadership doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by design.
Here’s what science-based leadership development includes:
1. Clarity Through MeasurementJust like any business function, leadership improves when you measure it. That’s why top companies like Amazon and Coca-Cola use leadership scorecards to align behavior, track development, and drive performance.
2. Skill Over InstinctIn a Harvard study, 95% of executives ranked critical thinking as the #1 leadership skill—yet most new managers rely solely on intuition. Structured training transforms instinct into informed action.
3. Scalability and RepeatabilityWhen you lead based on frameworks—not just experience—you create scalable systems that can be applied across teams, departments, or even industries.

Your Mission: Build a Team of SuperstarsYour job as a people manager isn’t to do more—it’s to help others do their best work.
Imagine this: What if every team member you manage became a high-performer?
That’s not wishful thinking. It’s what happens when you adopt a measurable, intentional approach to leadership.
And it starts with one question:
Where are you today as a leader?
The Path Forward: Are You Ready to Evolve?The best leaders don’t just wait for change; they prepare for it. If you’re ready to refine your leadership skills and ensure long-term success, now is the time to act.
Our Leadership 4.0: Becoming an Effective Manager and Leader provides the strategies, insights, and real-world applications you need to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world.
Learn from Top Leadership ExpertsThe best way to grow as a leader is by learning from real-world success stories. Watch this insightful video where experienced leaders share their challenges, strategies, and proven methods for building motivated, high-performing teams. Gain the knowledge and skills to effectively manage people and become a more impactful leader.

Besides, these are useful tips if you want to cultivate your skills as a leader:

• Leadership Development Guide: Watch Strategy (Yes, it's Free)
• Process Improvement Toolkit: Download PDF (Yes, it's Free)
• Workforce Flywheel Framework Training: Watch here (Yes, it's Free)
• Tools for HR Leaders Access Here (Yes, it's Free)
• Leadership 4.0 Becoming an Effective Manager and Leader: Here (Yes, this is exclusive)

References

1. McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). Leadership development: The pathway to greater effectiveness. Retrieved from [URL]
   
   
2. Harvard Business Review. (n.d.). The importance of critical thinking in leadership. Retrieved from [URL]

Author Information:Hoai Thuong
Passionate Learning & Program Officer
VSHR Pro Academy