High Table Playbook: Developing Your Team into Leaders

1. Introduction

Why Leadership Development Matters

As a CEO, your success depends on building a team of leaders who can drive your company forward. This module, based on John Maxwell's Developing the Leaders Around You, shows you how to spot potential leaders, nurture their growth, and create a culture of leadership.

Relevance to High Table

Developing leaders within your team (e.g., team at Shadstone) frees you to focus on strategic goals, enhances collaboration with portfolio companies, and strengthens Venture Seed's ecosystem.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify high-potential team members for leadership roles.
• Apply Maxwell's principles to train and empower leaders.
• Foster a leadership culture that supports your company's growth.

2. Key Principles from Maxwell

• Leaders Develop Leaders: Your job isn't just to lead but to create more leaders. Invest in people who show potential, not just performance.
• The 80/20 Rule: Spend 80% of your time developing the top 20% of your team—those with leadership potential.
• Empowerment Over Control: Give team members responsibility and trust to grow into leadership roles.
• Model Leadership: Demonstrate integrity, vision, and accountability to inspire others.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Leaders

Step 1: Identify Potential Leaders

Criteria:

• Influence: Do they inspire or motivate others? (e.g., team at Shadstone rallying the team.)
• Initiative: Do they take ownership of tasks without being asked?
• Growth Mindset: Are they eager to learn and improve?

Action: List 2-3 team members with leadership potential. For example, Christian might identify management team leader and one other Shadstone team member.

Tool: Use a simple checklist (provided in the playbook) to evaluate potential based on Maxwell's traits.

Step 2: Train and Mentor

Strategies:

• One-on-One Coaching: Schedule biweekly 15-minute check-ins to set goals and provide feedback.
• Skill Development: Assign projects that stretch their abilities.
• Maxwell's Growth Plan: Encourage daily learning (books, podcasts) and weekly reflection on leadership lessons.

Step 3: Empower and Delegate

Strategies:

• Delegate Authority: Give potential leaders decision-making power in specific areas.
• Celebrate Wins: Recognize small leadership successes publicly to build confidence.
• Create Accountability: Set clear expectations and check progress monthly.

Step 4: Build a Leadership Culture

Strategies:

• Encourage Peer Leadership: Foster team members mentoring each other.
• Align with Vision: Tie leadership development to your company's goals.
• Reward Initiative: Offer bonuses or recognition for leadership behaviors.

4. Practical Application for Venture Seed CEOs

5. Tools and Resources

• Checklist: Potential Leader Evaluation (Google Doc link in playbook)
• Template: 30-Day Leadership Development Plan (Notion template)
• High Table Support: Access mentors via oversight@ventureseed.com
• Recommended Reading: Developing the Leaders Around You by John Maxwell (key chapters 2, 4, 7)

6. Next Steps

• By June 1, 2025: Identify one potential leader and create their 30-day plan.
• By June 15, 2025: Delegate a high-impact task and log progress in the deal tracker.
• By June 30, 2025: Share a leadership win in a High Table mastermind session.
• Ongoing: Use dashboard.ventureseed.com to track team leadership KPIs.

7. FAQs

What if my team is small? Focus on one high-potential leader.