Mike Beitler is the author of "Strategic Organizational Change

 Mike Beitler is the author of "Strategic Organizational Change.At GE and Citicorp, two companies using the Leadership Pipeline Model, leadership passages from one level to the next are seen as;turns in the leadership pipeline.The Leadership Pipeline Model offers a common language (terminology) and specific criteria for what to look for in leaders at the next higher level. An appropriate position for someone today may not be appropriate three years from now. The pipeline must be continuously filled with leaders who have been identified for development for the next higher level.Identifying candidates for the organization's future leadership positions is a critical task.The key to identifying candidates for higher levels of responsibility is to predict their potential to succeed in attaining and using the skills, time applications, and values of the next higher level. The challenge is complicated by the fact that people change (hopefully for the better) over time.The Leadership Pipeline provides a model that describes the skills, time applications, and values required to succeed at different levels in the organization. As we all know, there is a talent shortage in the marketplace." Get a free 7-part mini-course and learn more about the book at butterfly valves manufacturers. Desperate attempts to recruit leaders from outside the organization suggest an inadequate leadership pipeline.I am often askedIs it better to recruit from outside the organization or to develop leaders from within? The safe, but rather uninsightful answer is, It depends. A pipeline clog at one level will clearly harm leadership development and succession throughout the entire organization. Past performance is often a poor predictor of future success.