Stop the Leadership Assembly Line: Why Customisation is Key

How many times have you seen companies roll out generic leadership programs, hoping to transform their managers into inspirational leaders? Their intention is good, but the reality is often underwhelming. Why? Because leadership development, like a finely tailored suit, needs to be customised to fit the individual.

We all know leadership development is important. In 2024, the global leadership development sector generated an estimated $94 billion in revenue, with projections for 2025 suggesting a rise to approximately $103.5 billion which highlights its critical role in organisational success. 1, 2, 3.

However, only 10% 4 of the population possesses innate leadership skills, emphasising the need for structured development programs. The issue is, that despite its recognised importance, only 5% 4 of companies have fully integrated leadership development into their strategic initiatives. 

This is where the disconnect begins.

Personalised Leadership Development Plans

The one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't always cut it. What works for one leader might be completely ineffective for another. To truly develop impactful leaders, we need to move towards personalised leadership development plans.

So, how do you create these tailored strategies? It starts with a deep understanding of the individual:

Assessments: Leverage a variety of assessments – skills assessments, personality profiles (like DISC or Myers-Briggs), and 360-degree feedback – to gain a comprehensive view of each leader's strengths, weaknesses, and developmental needs.

Individualised Goals: Based on the assessment results, work with each leader to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that align with their individual aspirations and the organisation's objectives.

Targeted Development Activities: Curate a personalised development plan that includes a mix of activities, such as executive coaching, mentoring, specialised training programs, stretch assignments, and opportunities for peer learning.

The benefits of this personalised approach are two-fold: First, the individual gains a clear understanding of their leadership style, enhances self-awareness, and develops specific skills, leading to increased confidence and career growth. Second, the organisation benefits from more effective leaders, improved team performance, greater employee engagement, and a stronger leadership pipeline to meet future challenges.

Tailored Development Pathways for Teams

Personalisation shouldn't stop at the individual level. Consider how tailored plans can cater to specific team needs and organisational contexts. A high-growth startup will have very different leadership needs than a mature, established corporation. And a sales team will require a different leadership approach than an engineering team.

When designing team-based development, consider:

Team Dynamics: Assess team dynamics and identify areas where leadership development can improve collaboration, communication, and decision-making.

Organisational Context: Ensure that development initiatives align with the organisation's culture, values, and strategic priorities.

Specific Challenges: Tailor development activities to address the specific challenges facing the team or organisation.

The advantages of these pathways are significant: For the team, a tailored approach fosters stronger cohesion, improved communication, and a shared understanding of goals and strategies. For the organisation, it translates into enhanced productivity, better problem-solving capabilities, and a more agile and responsive leadership structure that is ready to take on evolving challenges within the business.

The Imperative of Personalisation

The statistics speak for themselves: 

• 94% of executives express dissatisfaction with their organisations’ leadership development efforts, highlighting a gap between expectations and outcomes .4

• 86% of HR professionals identify leadership readiness as a top challenge, underscoring the need for better-prepared leaders .4

• Only 7% of CEOs believe their organisations are effectively investing in proper leadership development. 5

It's clear that the old way of doing things isn't working. To foster truly effective leadership, we need to embrace personalised approaches that recognise the unique needs of each individual and team. It's about unlocking potential and driving real results.

What are your thoughts? Have you seen success with personalised leadership development programs? I'd love to hear your experiences.

Adastrum Consulting provides tailored leadership development solutions for individuals and teams, offering a customised approach that ensures effectiveness. Read more at https://www.adastrumconsulting.com/leadership-development