While being a “born leader” may apply to some leaders’ journeys, a growing body of research suggests that leadership skills can be developed through practice. As the Harvard Business Review once put it, “good leaders are good learners.” 

We asked our 2023 Forty Under 40 Alum of the Year to share her thoughts and recommendations on leadership development. Kim Butler Hegedus is the executive vice president and chief lending officer of Community State Bank. Here’s what she told us via email. 

— Emily Barske Wood, special projects editor 

This Q&A has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. 

What are your recommendations for someone hoping to develop their leadership skills at work? 

I would recommend that employees find a leader they admire and foster a mentoring relationship with that person. Most genuine leaders will invest in and lend a hand to promising leaders. As leaders develop, I also think it is critical for them to check in with themselves to see if how they are conducting themselves makes them worthy of being followed by others in their organization.

What activities or involvements outside of work might help with developing leadership skills? 

Invest in personal development by participating in the many leadership programs offered throughout our community. I also think community involvement develops leadership as most board volunteers are also leaders in their professional lives and the organization they choose to serve.

There are many different personality types. How can someone focus on their own strengths and characteristics to become a leader? 

There are any number of “personality” tools available to identify personal strengths and characteristics to help people be more self-aware so they can focus on areas that need improvement or things they are really good at. Finding a mentor to be honest with them and challenge them is also very helpful in leadership development.

How should employers be thinking about leadership development?

Employers should absolutely invest in leadership development as a strategic initiative to attract and retain talent. Whether hiring a third-party training company or developing an internal program, employers who offer this professional development have a competitive advantage in their industry.

What kinds of initiatives or programs would you recommend employers foster to support leadership development? 

Community State Bank developed our own leadership development curriculum. We just wrapped up our second year of LEAD (Leadership Experience and Development) and are gearing up for year three. We encourage employees at all levels to apply for the program. The premise of LEAD is that you don’t have to have a title or even a team to be a leader. Anyone can lead from anywhere in the company. We continue to learn from the prior year to deliver an exceptional experience using third-party training companies and internal expertise. Class size is limited to nine employees from all lines of business.

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Though each member of the Business Record’s 2023 Forty Under 40 class has different passion areas, they have all found activities through work and the community to develop as leaders. 

Here’s what these up-and-comers aspire to do as they develop as leaders and their hopes for the Central Iowa business community. 

Corey Dion Lewis
Clinical health coach, Broadlawns Medical Center

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

Through my podcast, “The Healthy Project,” I aim to raise awareness and advocate for health equity. I also strive to bring attention to health disparities and find solutions to these issues through my health equity conference, My City My Health. 

What are your future aspirations? 

I envision My City My Health pushing the limits in health equity conferences held in Des Moines. I anticipate the growth of the conference, culminating in the eventual hosting of a global health equity conference, known as My World My Health Conference in Des Moines.

Read answers from all the 2023 Forty Under 40 class in their profiles at www.businessrecord40.com.