Episode 46 Ten (10) Ways Leaders Win at Shaping Leaders with Joshua K. McMillion
10 Ways Leaders Win at Shaping Leaders
Featuring Joshua McMillion | Tales of Leadership Podcast Ep. 46
The fifth phase of leadership—shaping leaders—is where your legacy truly begins to take form. It’s no longer about what you accomplish individually, but about the leaders you create who will carry the mission forward long after you’re gone. The true measure of leadership is not the results you produce—it’s the leaders you develop.
At this phase, leadership shifts from production to multiplication. You are no longer the primary driver of results—you are the architect of future leaders. This requires intentionality, discipline, and a willingness to invest your most valuable resource: time.
One of the most critical concepts introduced is the Pareto Principle—the 80/20 rule. Not everyone in your organization will rise to become a leader, and trying to invest equally in everyone is not only unrealistic, it’s ineffective. Instead, leaders must identify the top 20%—those with the mindset, discipline, and drive—and invest deeply in their development. This is not selfish; it is strategic. When you develop the right people, their influence multiplies yours.
Another defining element of shaping leaders is engagement. Great leaders do not simply communicate—they deliberately engage. They create environments where ideas are welcomed, innovation is rewarded, and individuals feel empowered to contribute. This requires structured interaction: one-on-ones, mentorship sessions, after-action reviews, and dedicated thinking time. If your organization is not intentionally engaging, it is unintentionally stagnating.
Deliberate tasking is another cornerstone. Leaders must assign responsibilities that stretch their team—not overwhelm them, but push them just beyond their comfort zone. Growth does not occur in safety; it occurs in challenge. However, empowerment must be paired with authority. Delegating without giving ownership creates frustration, while empowering with trust builds confidence and accountability.
Authenticity is what ties it all together. Leaders who say one thing and do another erode trust instantly. The most effective leaders operate with clarity in who they are—their core values, their leadership philosophy, and their purpose. Deeds, not words, define authentic leadership.
Transformational thinking elevates leaders beyond transactional outcomes. Instead of focusing on results, transformational leaders focus on identity and performance. They understand that results are a byproduct of consistent execution. Mindset shapes process, process drives performance, and performance determines outcomes. When leaders shift their focus inward, outward success follows.
Understanding your team is equally critical. Not everyone will reach the same level of leadership, and that’s okay. Leaders must recognize the difference between high performers, consistent contributors, and those who are simply meeting the minimum standard. By applying the 20-60-20 rule, leaders can better allocate their time and energy while still maintaining awareness of potential growth across the entire team.
The foundation of all of this is RAD—routine, accountability, and discipline. These are the three pillars that move organizations forward. Without routine, there is no consistency. Without accountability, there is no ownership. Without discipline, there is no resilience. Extraordinary organizations are built on ordinary habits executed consistently.
Constructive candor ensures that innovation continues. Leaders must create a culture where feedback is encouraged—but delivered with respect. Praise publicly, challenge privately. When leaders humiliate instead of develop, they shut down communication. When they foster safe dialogue, they unlock creativity and growth.
Leaders must also learn to weaponize their time. They are not meant to be subject matter experts in everything. Instead, they must understand the tools available and align them with the right people. A leader’s strength is not in doing the work, but in enabling others to do it effectively.
Finally, creating white space is essential. In a world driven by constant activity, thinking becomes a lost skill. Leaders must intentionally create time for reflection, strategy, and innovation. Without it, organizations remain reactive instead of proactive. If you don’t create time to think, you will never create time to lead.
Final Thoughts
Shaping leaders is the turning point where leadership becomes legacy. It requires humility to step back, discipline to invest in others, and courage to let go of control. The leaders you develop will define your impact far more than the results you achieve. If you want to build something that lasts, focus less on what you produce and more on who you develop.
After Action Review (AAR)
Who are the top 20% in your organization—and how are you intentionally investing in their growth?
Are you creating deliberate engagement and white space for your team, or are you allowing busyness to replace leadership?
How are you empowering your team with both responsibility and authority to develop future leaders?
Tales of Leadership Mission: To develop Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PAL) by arming you with the tools
required to lead with purpose, integrity, and accountability.
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