Businesses must prioritize leadership preparedness as a critical requirement for success
In the fast-paced business environment, the role of a leader is not an easy one. The demand for preparedness is as crucial as it is for a world-class athlete before a match. Yet, in business, leaders are expected to transition seamlessly from their inbox into a high-stakes conversation and perform flawlessly.
This emphasis on leadership readiness is gaining traction, with today's most forward-thinking boards and CHROs reframing leadership development as a readiness mandate. One such leader is Bala V Sathyanarayanan, EVP & CHRO at Greif, Inc (NYSE: GEF) and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Balmer Lawrie - Van Leer Ltd.
Strategies for promoting leadership readiness typically include continuous learning, talent development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of empowerment. These strategies positively impact business performance by improving decision-making, driving innovation, enhancing employee engagement, and ensuring organizational agility.
At Greif, leadership warm-ups are built into offsite structures. At Balmer Lawrie - Van Leer, leadership mindset is discussed as a factor in governance, not just operations. Great leaders don't lead cold. They gear up with discipline and routine.
Physical activation could involve taking a walk around the block or climbing a staircase to give oneself a reset. Intellectual spark could involve reading a page from a leadership book or listening to a podcast. Learning first thing in the morning primes one to lead from a place of curiosity, not conclusion.
Conversational Rehearsal: Outlining key ideas beforehand helps leaders lead with clarity. Meeting Intentionality: Before entering strategic discussions, consider what decision needs to be made, who needs to be heard, and how to model the desired tone.
Grounding in values could involve giving oneself a few minutes of quiet reflection or journaling to connect to what truly matters. Positive priming could involve reflecting on a win from yesterday or a team member who made one proud. Taking a minute to practice gratitude unlocks abundance and buffers against reactivity.
Readiness transforms the culture, making meetings more purposeful, feedback more focused, and strategy more executable. CHROs should lead with intentional leadership rituals that shape culture and build trust. In a world where cybersecurity, geopolitical volatility, talent shortages, shareholder pressure, and a leader who walks into the day unprepared are common concerns, leadership readiness is seen as the invisible edge that separates average performance from transformative impact.
In conclusion, the importance of leadership readiness cannot be overstated. By adopting strategies that promote readiness, leaders can not only improve their own performance but also positively impact the entire business.
Bala Sathyanarayanan, as the EVP & CHRO at Greif, Inc (NYSE: GEF) and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Balmer Lawrie - Van Leer Ltd, is a prime example of a leader who emphasizes leadership readiness. In the business world, leadership readiness strategies such as continuous learning, talent development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of empowerment are crucial for positive business performance.
