Every organization faces the same question: How do we grow smarter, not just bigger? For many, the answer is to bring in outside expertise. We’ve been there, tempted by the promise of fresh ideas and breakthrough strategies. But when the dust settled, we found the best answers came from within. After all, trust, relationships and collaboration are what this industry is built on, and those are best developed from within the heart of any organization.
Promoting From Within Matters
In industries like propane, where hands-on experience is invaluable and critical to success, promoting from within ensures leadership decisions are informed by practical knowledge. For instance:
- Operational expertise: A driver transitioning to dispatch brings an innate understanding of route complexities and customer needs. These insights, rooted in experience, enhance operational efficiency.
- Leadership growth: When that dispatcher advances to an operations management role, decisions impacting profit and loss are shaped by practical applications and creativity.
Beyond leadership roles, employees gaining certifications in propane safety or mastering logistics systems can advance into specialized positions, ensuring the company stays ahead in compliance, efficiency and innovation. This progress not only benefits the organization financially but also creates a ripple effect that can be felt throughout the company.
By promoting from within, you show employees that their contributions are valued. It motivates them to rally behind leaders who understand their challenges because they’ve been there themselves. Additionally, leaders who rise through the ranks reflect the company’s core values and mission, fostering a sense of shared purpose.
Building a Leadership Pipeline
Developing internal talent doesn’t just happen; it takes intentional investment in people, processes and programs. Here are three critical steps:
1. Identifying Potential Leaders
Not all employees aspire to leadership roles, and that’s OK. Begin by:
- Having open conversations: Honest discussions between employees and managers help identify those ready to take on additional responsibilities.
- Using structured tools: Frameworks like the 9-Box Model evaluate both performance and potential in a systematic way.
Recognizing potential isn’t just about identifying top performers; it’s about finding those who demonstrate resilience, problem-solving skills and the ability to positively influence others. Broadening the definition of leadership potential opens opportunities for a more diverse range of talent.
2. Providing Individualized Coaching
Managers play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders by:
- Offering real-time feedback: Coaching during one-on-one meetings and performance evaluations helps employees address weaknesses and build strengths.
- Facilitating honest conversations: Tackling tough topics with empathy encourages growth and trust.
Individualized coaching helps employees feel genuinely supported in their professional journeys. Managers who actively mentor their teams bridge critical skills gaps and boost confidence, creating a ripple effect of continuous growth and development.
3. Implementing Companywide Leadership Programs
Programs tailored to your organization’s values and goals ensure better adoption. For example:
- “Leading With Purpose”: At Christensen, we use a six-month program that brings leaders from all departments together to focus on goal setting, decision-making, emotional intelligence and performance management.
- Management mastery series: Virtual lunch-and-learn sessions that are led by managers cover key leadership topics, often acting as refreshers for the Leading With Purpose program.
Leadership programs also create opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration, building relationships that strengthen organizational unity. Employees learn not only from structured content but also from each other, sharing best practices and gaining new perspectives.
Continuing Education: Fueling Growth
Leadership development doesn’t stop at internal training. Consider offering opportunities for:
- Technical certifications
- Formal degrees
- Specialized endorsements
These investments build confidence and credibility within the workforce, enriching your talent pipeline. For example, an employee pursuing a technical certification in logistics may bring new efficiencies to distribution processes, while another completing a formal degree could provide innovative insights into business strategy.
External education opportunities also demonstrate to employees that their growth is a priority beyond immediate job functions. By encouraging continuous learning, companies position themselves as valuable partners in their employees’ long-term personal and professional success.
The Role of Culture & Diversity in Retention
A strong organizational culture doesn’t just support growth; it builds an environment where employees feel valued. Transparent communication about opportunities, paired with recognition for accomplishments, reinforces mutual respect and trust.
Diversity plays an essential role in this effort. For example, Christensen’s female workforce now exceeds 35% across all levels of the company, including leadership roles — more than double the industry average of 16%. This progress reflects our commitment to fostering inclusion and developing a wide range of perspectives. Diverse teams are more innovative and better equipped to tackle complex challenges — qualities essential for long-term success.
The Bottom Line
In industries where expertise is built through experience, promoting from within drives better performance and builds trust. By prioritizing leadership development and continuing education, organizations create a capable, confident team ready to meet future challenges head-on. Investing in your people ensures they’ll invest back in your company’s long-term success, creating a thriving and unified workforce.
Retention strategies anchored in leadership development, cultural alignment and continuous learning don’t just help the bottom line; they shape the future of the industry. In the end, the smartest growth doesn’t come from bringing in outside expertise — it comes from making a strategic investment in the team you already trust.
