What development approaches are working best with your Executives, Future Executives? We currently leverage both experiential and formal development (including assessments, stretch assignments etc.) plus executive coaching. Thoughts on partnerships with business schools? Good ROI?

creating some structure/check lists to help future executives to see more of a path forward. in those plans/checklists include things like assessments, coaching opportunities, on the job training, mentorship and more.

For the executive leadership team, sponsored by the chairman, my previous organisation engaged HBS every year for a bespoke and offsite leadership workshop to provide opportunities for reflection, bonding and strategic planning, where they combined team building, case studies and action learning tied to strategic imperatives. It was very interactive, experiential and action-focused to address real business challenges.

For the future executives, a more structured program (18-24 months) was developed in partnership with IMD including a range of development approaches (e.g. assessment, workshops, business simulations, coaching, cross-functional projects). Participants are nominated based on the results of talent review. Most of them have successfully taken up new roles or moved to other senior critical roles.  

We use assessment (including learning agility), executive coaching and externally-hosted talent programs (like Chief Executive Women). Development in the flow of work (i.e., stretch assignments) do occur, but we could be more strategic around this. We do send leaders on business school programs on request and are pondering if we should develop a relationship with 1-2 schools. I'd be interested in chatting with you more on this.