Developing Senior Leaders

What companies are doing to develop theirWhat companies are doing to develop theirsenior leaderssenior leaders

Based on research conducted by Learning Based on research conducted by Learning Consultancy PartnershipConsultancy Partnership

www.lcp.org.ukwww.lcp.org.uk

Is teamwork important?Is teamwork important?

‘A team has a collective task that demands a high level of interdependency

among its members, something that can only be accomplished together’.

Hay Group 2001

Senior teams are different.....Senior teams are different.....

Can be individualist

icMore external

influencesIncreased visibility

Special status of top team

Unique role of CEO

Intensified political

behaviourLack of

promotion prospects Ancona and

Nadler (1989)

Criteria for predicting executive success (Rogers Criteria for predicting executive success (Rogers and Smith)and Smith)

Example leadership pipelineExample leadership pipeline

Pipeline level 1Managing others

Pipeline level 2Managing managers

Pipeline level 3Managing functions

Pipeline level 4Managing the organisation

Based on Drotter & Charan (2001)

Level 3 - managing functionsLevel 3 - managing functions

Required to balance present needs and future goals. Builds organisational capacity for long-term success

Significant autonomy Internal communication vital Move from functional to business

objectives Greater need to collaborate Competition with peers for

resources (danger of silo mentality)

Level 3 - managing functions (activities)Level 3 - managing functions (activities)

Key transition challenges – manage areas outside of own experience and have to deal with greater complexity

Strategic projects and stretch assignments Development centres Executive coaching External executive development programmes eg MBA Present at industry-wide conferences Job rotation Corporate social responsibility projects Teaching others

Level 4 - managing the organisationLevel 4 - managing the organisation

Sets direction and develops processes and people for long-term business success

High impact decision making – thebuck stops here

Leads a team of ambitious high achievers

Move from strategic to visionary Lonely and isolated

Level 4 - managing the organisation Level 4 - managing the organisation (activities)(activities)

Key transition challenge – developing and communicating the vision to others. Bespoke package of carefully selected job assignments and seminars Executive board member of other organisations External mentor

LCP survey results (2008)LCP survey results (2008)

Are the development needs of senior leaders different?Are the development needs of senior leaders different?

CommentsComments

‘The needs of senior leaders often revolve around people management and communication, which are less important for other managers’

‘Senior leaders’ needs are around future focus, visioning that creates inspiration for others and leading change’

‘Senior managers need to give greater consideration to the business objectives, not just day to day staff needs. They have to achieve a good balance between the two and be able to analyse and assess the impact staff have on the business achieving its objectives. They must be able to motivate and inspire staff to be the best they can as opposed to just making sure they carry out their daily duties’

Comments Cont’dComments Cont’d

‘Their detailed knowledge and experience means that individuals need very specialist help’

‘Less time, more intangible’ 

‘Broader training needs’ 

‘More specialised and individual’ 

‘Higher level, wider spectrum’ 

Research requestResearch request

You can request a copy of the LCP research ‘What companies are doing to

develop their senior leaders’ by emailing us at enquiries@lcp.org.uk or visiting our

website at www.lcp.org.uk

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

Grow your own leaders (Byham, Smith & Paese, 2002)Building leaders at every level (Drotter & Charan, 2001) www.iveybusinessjournal.com/view_article.asp?intArticle_ID=287

Overcoming the shortfalls in developing leaders http://www.ddiworld.com/thoughtleadership/globalleadershipforecast2008.asp

Optimising your leadership pipeline (Byham, et al) http://www.ddiworld.com/pdf/optimizingyourleadershippipeline_wp_ddi.pdf