Twenty-Two Ways to Develop Leadership in Staff Managers

Differences Between Staff and Line Development

In looking at staff professionals in terms of the elements of executive development described above, one can see significant differences: They receive far fewer challenging jobs (start-ups, fix-its, etc.) than line managers, and when they do receive them it is later in their careers; they have fewer stark transitions to deal with; and, although the leadership demands they experience are largely the same as those faced by the line, they do not experience some crucial demands. Staff managers do not have the same opportunity to develop as line managers.

These observations are supported by recent research at CCL and by indirect evidence.

CCL Research

Two pieces of CCL research address the differences ...