Leadership Development: Growing Leaders from Within
Client Story
A growing, venture-backed technology company committed to developing its next generation of leaders from within
The Challenge
Consciously build an organizational culture that fosters empathy and collaboration in service of fulfilling individual and organizational potential. The company was investing in external executive recruitment while capable employees were already inside the business. Its leadership team saw another way forward: invest in people, give them a path to grow, and build the next generation of leaders from within.
Connection Lab partnered with the People Team to design and deliver a Leadership Journey program that went beyond assessments and one-off workshops. The goal was to build practical leadership, communication, and engagement skills that people could use and benefit from every day.
Our Approach
Over five years, Connection Lab worked with the People Team on program design, communication workshops, coaching, and leadership off-sites. The Connection Lab methodology also supported and improved other strategic and developmental initiatives.
Workshops introduced new communication world-view and support coaching helped people apply the new practice in real conversations. Off-sites gave leaders the chance to put their skills into practice.
Each Leadership Journey cohort created and performed its own business case theatre production. Participants took real-world business challenges and turned the struggle into a literal performance that inspired waves of creative solutions to old problems.
Results
A recognized workplace culture. The company earned national recognition as a leading workplace, reflecting its commitment to supporting a people-first culture.
Leaders developed from within. Employee tenure, internal job changes, and employee referrals increased. By the time the company was sold, much of its leadership team consisted of people who had grown into their roles within the business.
A legacy beyond the company. Not only did the program exceed its goals, it was very popular among the workforce. Even after the company sale, the Leadership Journey alumni stayed connected with most moving into leadership roles elsewhere in the market.
Why it worked
This was a long-term investment in a conscious company culture that worked because people felt seen, heard and invited to inform the process. Leaders who moved on to other organizations shared the practice with their new teams, and echoes of the program continue to ripple outward to this day.
Connection Lab brought a unique approach to communication, engagement, and learning. The People Team helped shape and deliver the program, and the company provided the people the time and opportunity to put their learning into practice.
