High-performing internal audit functions are built by developing people who can grow beyond strong execution into judgment, ownership, stakeholder management, and leadership. Many audit professionals begin their careers focused on completing assigned work, documenting results, and applying methodology. As they advance, the expectations change: they must review work, lead discussions, manage relationships, exercise judgment, and help others grow.
This transition does not happen through technical training alone. Emerging audit leaders learn by observing how current leaders operate, how they communicate with stakeholders, how they respond under pressure, and how they balance professionalism, candor, and relationship management. They also grow when they are given meaningful exposure and ownership; not simply tasks delegated for efficiency. For example, opportunities to participate in stakeholder discussions, lead portions of meetings, manage follow-up, and gradually assume responsibility for relationships and outcomes.
This session will explore how audit leaders can intentionally develop the next generation by creating opportunities for exposure, modeling effective leadership behaviors, and gradually shifting ownership in a way that builds confidence and capability. The discussion will include common development challenges when professionals move from doer to supervisor to leader, including stakeholder communication, comfort with difficult conversations, delivering and receiving feedback, professional judgment, and confidence in representing internal audit.
Participants will leave with practical ideas for creating development opportunities that help audit professionals build confidence, judgment, and leadership capability through real exposure, observation, feedback, and progressive ownership.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize common challenges audit professionals face when moving from individual contributor to supervisor or leader.
- Describe how exposure, observation, and progressive ownership help professionals build stakeholder management and leadership capability.
- Identify practical ways audit leaders can model behaviors and create development opportunities that prepare the next generation to lead.