Let’s be real for a second—spotting raw talent is easy. Most managers can recognize the rising stars, those standout team members who consistently exceed expectations. But here’s the kicker: not everyone knows how to develop them into true leaders.
I learned this the hard way.
A few years ago, I was managing a small IT support team for a mid-sized sports analytics firm. One of our interns, a fresh grad named Aditya, blew us away with his problem-solving skills, curiosity, and drive. He was the kind of young athlete in the tech world—fast, agile, and hungry. He reminded me of those breakout players we track in T20 leagues: unpolished but undeniably electric.
At first, I did what most of us do. I gave him bigger projects and more responsibilities. But guess what? That wasn’t enough. Giving a rising star more work doesn’t automatically mold them into a leader. They need direction, context, and mentorship.
Here’s what I’ve learned about helping those rising stars evolve into future leaders—especially if you’re working in fast-paced, competitive industries like tech, sports, or media.
1. Recognize Leadership Potential Early (Not Just Performance)
Let’s not confuse top performers with future leaders. It’s easy to look at your top 10 athletes—the ones hitting deadlines, closing tickets, or pushing code like champions—and assume they’re all leadership material. But leadership is more than output.
Think of the young athletes making headlines in the World Championships. The best ones aren’t just setting records—they’re inspiring their teams, asking better questions, and learning from failure.
Start identifying the traits of real leadership: empathy, initiative, communication, and resilience. When someone volunteers to mentor a junior or takes responsibility for a project gone sideways, that’s your clue.
2. Give Them Room to Think Like a Leader
Leadership isn’t taught—it’s experienced.
Give your rising stars projects where they need to own outcomes, not just tasks. Let them lead a sprint, present a strategy, or manage a mini team. Yes, they’ll stumble. That’s the point.
I gave Aditya the reins on a small cross-functional project involving our dev and QA teams. It was a mess at first—missed standups, unclear expectations—but by week three, he’d figured out a system. He wasn’t just fixing bugs anymore; he was managing people and priorities. That’s when the shift began.
This mirrors what we see in young athletes transitioning to captains. Leadership isn’t about being the best player—it’s about elevating others.
3. Coach, Don’t Control
This is a big one. You can’t micromanage someone into leadership. If you want your rising stars to grow, resist the urge to jump in every time they struggle.
Be a coach. Offer feedback, ask questions, share your own slip-ups. You’re not just teaching skills—you’re modeling what real-world leadership looks like. It’s like a sports coach prepping a player for the big leagues. They don’t play the game for them—they prepare them to play it better.
4. Expose Them to the Bigger Picture
Ever watched a young athlete of 2025 explain strategy like a seasoned pro? It’s not magic—it’s exposure. Great coaches and mentors bring them into the tactical room early.
In IT, it’s no different. Involve your future leaders in higher-level conversations. Let them sit in on client calls, join roadmap meetings, or shadow you during budget reviews. They’ll start thinking beyond their code or KPIs. They’ll understand the “why” behind the “what”—and that’s when their mindset shifts from contributor to strategist.
5. Celebrate Growth, Not Just Wins
Sure, everyone loves to applaud the standout results. But if you want to build real leaders, celebrate the growth moments too. When your rising star handles a tough conversation with maturity, learns from a failed project, or gives credit to others—that’s what leadership looks like in motion.
Think about the athletes who get featured in the top 10 athletes lists. It’s not just because they win—it’s because they evolve. They show grit, humility, and heart.
Do the same with your people. Recognize those small-but-significant shifts.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Captain Is Already on the Field
Here’s the thing about rising stars: they don’t need you to lead the way for them forever. They need you to walk beside them until they’re ready to run ahead.
Just like a coach spots potential in a young athlete before the rest of the world catches on, your job as a leader is to nurture that spark until it becomes something unstoppable.
Not every top performer will become a leader—but the ones who do will remember the person who believed in them first. Be that person.
- How to Turn Your Team’s Rising Stars into Future Leaders
- Want to build leaders from your team’s rising stars? Learn how to mentor young athletes and high-potential talent into the future champions of your organization.
- #young athletes #top 10 athletes #young athlete
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