Investing in Leadership Development

Author: Angela Mulvie

Consultant author: Nigel Paine

Introduction

Leadership development should be a key element of all organizations' learning and development strategy. In a challenging business environment that is increasingly uncertain and complex, the quality of leadership and leadership decision-making can differentiate the successful enterprise from the struggling one. It is also a core indicator of wider workforce engagement and good customer relations.

An investment in leaders at all levels will ensure that staff are motivated to contribute to organizational growth and business development. Businesses will generally be less successful than they could be, and run the risk of outright failure, without effective leaders.

This guide discusses how to deliver effective leadership development. It demonstrates why this type of development is important and considers some of the key issues to take into account when planning, designing, delivering and evaluating a leadership program.