I was speaking with someone about guest speakers for an internal event recently and asked whether it might be better to have specialists in the business act as the speakers – sort of like a masterclass.

The fear in their eyes suggested this wouldn’t fly. Aside from a lack of women speakers (are we STILL having this conversation?) they didn’t feel these senior leaders could inspire and engage as much as an external guest could.

If this is your organisation, your role in L&D is to build the masters so they can be the leads in your masterclasses. Your role is to want people being rewarded and recognised as being masters of their craft in your organisation. You need to develop those existing leaders to be the inspiring and charismatic leaders your teams expect.

Be the master at developing your people.