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As a leader, the greatest gift you can give your team is not a bonus or a fancy title—it's the knowledge and confidence to take over your job. During my five years in the United States Navy, we always trained our replacements. This practice wasn't just a tradition, it was a necessity. Orders to a new assignment could come at any time, and the next person needed to be ready to step up.

In the civilian world, the same principle applies. I've seen departments struggle when a leader leaves because no one knew how to do their job. One of my favorite books on management, It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, reinforces this idea. Abrashoff emphasizes the importance of creating a strong, deep bench—a team of capable leaders ready to take on more responsibility.

In my current role as a hospital administrator at a top pediatric children's hospital, I've applied these lessons to ensure our team is always prepared for the unexpected. By continuously counseling and developing team members, we not only plan for succession but also boost morale and engagement. If this approach works in the military, it can certainly work in any organization.

Here are three goals you can set for your direct reports to ensure they are prepared to step up:

1. Identify and master at least two new skills or areas of expertise within the next six months. Encourage them to take relevant courses, attend workshops, or shadow colleagues in different roles. This will broaden their knowledge and make them more versatile.
2. Lead a project or team initiative from start to finish within the next quarter. Assign them a project where they can practice making decisions, managing a team, and handling challenges. Provide regular feedback and support to help them grow in their leadership role.
3. Mentor a junior team member and document key processes and knowledge within the next three months. Pair them with a less experienced team member to guide and support. Additionally, have them create or update documentation for critical tasks and processes, ensuring that knowledge is easily accessible to others.