Practicing
CULTIVATING
What is Cultivating?
Cultivating is the energy leaders bring to growing the capability, confidence, and potential of others. Leaders who practice Cultivating look beyond what people can do today and intentionally help prepare them for what's next.
They notice development needs and untapped potential. They provide opportunities to stretch, learn, and build new capabilities through real work. And they support growth with coaching, feedback, reflection, and encouragement—without stepping in and doing the work for someone else.
Cultivating isn't about making people grow. It's about creating the conditions that make growth possible.
Today's development builds tomorrow's capability.
Why Does It Matter?
The skills an organization needs morphs over time. As roles, technology, customer expectations, and business priorities change, organizations need people who can continue learning and expanding what they're capable of doing.
Cultivating leaders don't wait for a role to open or a performance issue to emerge before investing in development. They use everyday work to build capability, give people room to stretch, and provide the support needed to turn experience into learning.
The result isn't just stronger individual performance. Over time, Cultivating helps organizations build deeper benches, stronger talent pipelines, and people who are better prepared to take on what's next.
The question isn't simply, "Who can do the job today?" It's also, "Who are we preparing for tomorrow?"
Watch This
You Can't Make Someone Grow
The ability to foster a strong talent pipeline will continue to be a key differentiator. But you can't make someone grow.
You can, however, create the conditions that make growth possible. That's what the leadership practice of CULTIVATING is all about.
Read This
From Harvard Business Review
Make Stretch Opportunities Count
Stretch assignments can be powerful development opportunities—but how they're offered and supported matters. HBR explores how leaders can use them more intentionally and equitably.
Practice This
Building Your Cultivating Practice
Development happens through the choices leaders make every day: what they notice, what opportunities they provide, and how they support people through challenge and growth.
The Leader’s Role in Cultivating Talent
Development starts with noticing what someone needs, creating opportunities to build capability, and supporting them along the way.
Are you Filling or Draining Your Talent Pipeline?
The everyday behaviors of leaders can either build capability or unintentionally limit it. See what high and low Cultivating energy looks like in practice.
Practices for Cultivating Growth
Explore everyday practices that help leaders build capability, encourage ownership, and develop people before the need becomes urgent.
Are You Coaching—or Rescuing?
When someone is struggling, stepping in can feel helpful. But solving the problem for them can also take away an opportunity to build capability.
Use this guide to recognize when you're coaching someone toward growth—and when you may be rescuing them from it.
Other Energies of Leadership
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![Steadying energy icon — figure balancing on a seesaw]()
Steadying
Create calm amidst complexity. Regulate your energy and help others feel grounded and focused.
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![Connecting energy icon — two figures high-fiving]()
Connecting
Build trust and alignment. Strengthen the relationships that help teams work well together.
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![Cultivating energy icon (placeholder)]()
Cultivating
Grow people over time. Give each person the conditions, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
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![Illustration of the Exploring leadership energy, represented by a person looking through binoculars.]()
Exploring
Look ahead and imagine what’s possible. Stay curious, seek new perspectives, and discover fresh paths forward.
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