Today’s changing workplace needs often leave leaders insufficiently trained or poorly supported. According to 2023 Gartner research finding, a significant majority – 75% – of HR leaders say managers on their teams are overwhelmed by the shift and expansion of their job responsibilities. Similarly, 73% of those leaders also admit that those they manage aren’t properly equipped to steer necessary change.
Organizations often fail to realize the benefits of leadership development. We’ve identified five leadership develop program (LDP) strategies that can help address common problems. Remember, your leaders determine the direction and success of your business.
Executive Sponsorship and Support: LDP’s are more likely to succeed when they have visible support from top executives and leaders within the organization. Executives should align the LDP to the organization’s core values, behavior standards and overall culture. This support can include providing resources, advocating for the program, and participating in program activities. Leadership development programs are most successful when participants are fully engaged and committed to their own growth. This requires buy-in from both participants and senior leadership who should actively support and champion the program. Buy-in to the LDP includes conducting a leadership training assessment to find out from participants what they need to be successful. This information provides the training program framework.
The Program’s Vision: The program should have well-defined goals and objectives aligned with the organization's strategic priorities. This ensures that participants understand what is expected of them and how their development ties into broader organizational goals.
Tailored Approach: Effective programs are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the organization and its leaders. This might involve customizing content, delivery methods, and coaching to address the unique context and goals of the participants. Successful programs also emphasize practical application. Opportunities for hands-on learning, such as workshops, simulations, case studies, and real-world projects, allow participants to apply new skills and knowledge in a practical context. A structured curriculum ensures that participants receive a comprehensive and cohesive learning experience. This curriculum should cover a range of relevant topics, such as communication skills, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and change management.
Impact and Outcome: Successful LDP’s incorporate mechanisms for measuring and evaluating the impact of the program on each participant's performance and its alignment with organizational goals. This feedback loop allows for continuous improvement and refinement of the program over time. Effective programs establish clear metrics for success and regularly evaluate their impact. This might include tracking changes in leadership behaviors, employee engagement, retention rates, or business performance indicators.
Continuous Learning: Successful programs recognize that leadership development is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Regular feedback and coaching are essential for participants to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback should be constructive, timely, and tailored to individual development needs. They provide opportunities for continuous learning and growth, such as regular workshops, coaching sessions, and feedback loops.
The most important takeaway is to realize that the organization with the best leadership always rises to the top over competitors. Also, the organization with the best leadership attracts and retains the best employees because they want to be a part of a successful organization.
The Bradley Partnerships (TBP) is your trusted partner with extensive experience in designing and implementing these strategies in the development and facilitation of leadership development programs. Our LDP’s include assessments along with our certified team of ICF executive coaches to reinforce a leader’s development. Contact TBP to learn more about leadership development programs and our customized approach for your organization.
Below are some recent comments from training evaluations attended by leaders:
“The instructor was excellent!!! The training materials were helpful. Thank you so much for providing this training. I look forward to attending future trainings from TBP.”
“The session was well run. Lois Bradley was a great presenter – organized, informative and engaging. I appreciated her practical tips and techniques that I can immediately apply with my team.”
You can contact TBP’s Pittsburgh corporate office at: (724)799-8170, or by visiting our website at www.bradleypartnerships.com, or email us at info@bradleypartnerships.com.