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    Research Brief 2020

    Best & Next Practices in Leadership Programming for Senior Leaders

    Research Brief

    A recording for this session isn't published. Below is the BPI editorial brief — key takeaways, an in-depth summary, and FAQs drawn from the original session materials and the presenter's body of work.

    Presenter

    CC

    Christina Cashin

    Description

    In this session, Chris Cashin, SVP of Talent Management at KeyBank will facilitate a session and share a success case on senior-level leadership programming. The focus of the share from KeyBank and all Board organizations will be focused on what we are currently doing in terms of leadership development for mid- to senior-level roles. Specifically, the session will focus on:

    Learning Points

    1. Positive and/or negative experiences you have had with bringing in external speakers?
    2. Positive and/or negative results from external leadership development experiences you have sent mid- to senior-level talent to?
    3. Other activities and programming you use within your organization focused on developing high potential mid- to senior-level leaders?
    4. How you are propelling and accelerating the succession readiness of mid- to senior-level leaders through your leadership development efforts? The BPI research team will be present and provide a benchmarking report for all Board organizations in attendance following the session. Please come prepared to speak to these questions, as well as additional ones needed to support the activities you are undertaking in your organization.

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Successful leadership initiatives for senior executives are foundational to driving organizational performance and strategic goals.
    • 2.Aligning leadership development programs with the broader organizational strategy is a core component of their success.
    • 3.Organizations should use specific metrics and methods to evaluate the impact and ROI of senior leadership programs.
    • 4.Effective programs equip top executives with skills in strategic thinking, innovation, and change management to ensure resilience.
    • 5.Leaders can audit their existing development offerings by assessing competencies and tailoring learning experiences to address gaps.
    • 6.Integrating feedback mechanisms and focusing on experiential learning creates more engaging and effective executive programs.

    The Challenge of Developing Senior Leaders

    As organizations navigate complex global challenges, rapid technological advancements, and shifting workforce expectations, the need for effective senior leadership has never been more critical. Equipping top executives with the latest skills in strategic thinking, innovation, and change management is essential for building organizational resilience and maintaining a competitive advantage. This session provides a roadmap for developing robust and impactful training initiatives tailored specifically for a senior audience.

    Core Components of Successful Executive Programs

    Effective leadership development for senior-level executives is built on a foundation of several key elements. According to insights from Christina Cashin, these programs must be intentionally designed to drive both individual growth and organizational performance.

    Key components include:

    • Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that all leadership initiatives are directly tied to the organization's overarching strategy.
    • Competency Assessment: Utilizing structured frameworks to assess leadership competencies and identify specific gaps.
    • Tailored Learning: Customizing learning experiences to address the unique needs and challenges of senior roles.
    • Experiential Focus: Moving beyond theory to integrate hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.
    • Feedback Mechanisms: Building in robust feedback loops to foster self-awareness and continuous improvement.

    Measuring Impact and Fostering Continuous Growth

    To justify investment and ensure effectiveness, organizations must focus on a crucial question: How do we measure the impact of these programs? This session explores the metrics and methods necessary for evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of senior leadership initiatives. It also outlines approaches to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth among top executives, enabling them to anticipate future needs and steer their organizations toward sustainable success.

    How Leaders Can Apply These Practices

    Leaders and HR executives can use these insights to audit their existing leadership development offerings. By implementing structured frameworks for assessing competencies and creating more tailored, engaging, and feedback-rich learning experiences, organizations can build programs that directly contribute to achieving strategic objectives.

    This session delves into effective strategies and innovative approaches for designing leadership development programs specifically tailored for senior-level executives. It explores the foundational elements that contribute to successful leadership initiatives and how they can drive organizational performance and strategic goals. Understanding these evolving best practices remains crucial for organizations aiming to cultivate strong, adaptable leadership at their highest levels.

    What you'll learn

    • Core components of successful leadership development programs for senior leaders
    • Current trends and innovations in executive education and programming
    • Strategies for aligning leadership initiatives with organizational strategy
    • Metrics and methods for evaluating the impact and ROI of senior leadership programs
    • Approaches to foster continuous learning and growth among top executives

    Who this webinar is for

    • HR executives and Chief People Officers
    • Organizational development specialists
    • Learning and development professionals
    • Senior leaders interested in optimizing their organization's leadership pipeline
    • Talent management directors and VPs

    Why it matters now

    Effective leadership programming for senior leaders is more critical than ever as organizations navigate complex global challenges, rapid technological shifts, and evolving workforce demands. Equipping top executives with the latest skills in strategic thinking, innovation, and change management ensures organizational resilience and competitive advantage. High-impact programs enable leaders to anticipate future needs and steer their organizations toward sustainable success.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can utilize insights from this discussion to audit their existing leadership development offerings, specifically for senior roles. They can implement structured frameworks for assessing leadership competencies and tailoring learning experiences to address specific gaps. By integrating feedback mechanisms and focusing on experiential learning, organizations can create more engaging and effective programs that directly contribute to strategic objectives. Christina Cashin's insights provide a roadmap for developing robust and impactful training initiatives.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on workplace culture. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Christina Cashin's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for workplace culture inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about workplace culture.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.