Are you indispensible? If the answer is yes then, to put it bluntly, there is something wrong with the way your company is set up. No one in any organisation should possess a reservoir of knowledge or skills which cannot be replicated elsewhere. To do so leaves your business and its customers vulnerable to the whims of every passing illness or misfortune. And to do so also imposes expectations on you as an individual which are quite frankly unfair and could lead to stress or burnout.

And before you say what about one man bands; whilst I appreciate that these businesses are in a unique situation there should at least be backup notes and contingency planning in place to minimise the risk should a problem arise. Those businesses aside, let’s acknowledge that cross training and the sharing of information sits at the heart of a well-run business. And that’s hardly surprising. Not only does cross training reduce risks, it also helps people to look beyond their individual roles and to better appreciate their place within the organisation. And as with greater understanding comes a greater ability to contribute, it’s quite easy to appreciate why cross-training can be so beneficial.

But what about the leadership? When the buck stops with you surely there is need to train others to take over your role? Wrong! In fact one of the greatest things that a leader can do for their business is to facilitate the training of potential successors. So much so, that succession planning is one of the key requirements of an effective corporate governance strategy. And effective succession planning means not simply identifying potential replacements, but also ensuring that the training programme across the organisation is designed to help people to build the skills which they need to enable them to take up leadership positions in the future.

Training and communication

Let’s just look at one of those skills as an example. Communication is the lifeblood of any organisation. Whether we are developing plans, interacting with customers or suppliers, engaging people in the values of the organisation, or simply having a water-cooler moment; without effective communication your chances of success will be slim indeed. And the need to be able to communicate effectively is equally valid right across the organisation.

With that in mind, it is never too soon to help people to build their own communication skills. So let’s call up some telephone training, share the secrets of effective social media engagement, talk about presentation skills, and scribble some notes on effective report writing. And then let’s give people a chance to practice and hone their abilities in everyday situations. Let’s have team talks, let’s get back office staff engaging with customers or suppliers on the phone, and let’s break down those barriers which stop departments talking to each other.

What’s in it for your organisation? Well, apart from the fact that it will enable you as an early stage to identify future leaders and influencers, just think of the benefits for the business as a whole. Having a team of confident communicators who are listening and sharing and understanding is a fantastic resource for any organisation. No one is indispensable; but with an engaged and communicating team behind you the future of the business is in safe hands.