Accelerating Leadership Development: Practical Solutions for Building Your Organization's Potential

by Jocelyn Berard

Proven strategies and innovative solutions for developing and retaining successful leaders Many organizations today are facing a crisis of leadership. As the Baby Boomer generation exits the workforce, companies are struggling to find qualified leaders to fill critical roles. Accelerating Leadership Development offers solutions for leadership development, management, and retention from award-winning development firm Global Knowledge. Accelerating Leadership Development provides a proven model to help companies develop high-potential employees with the competencies and knowledge capital to assume critical roles successfully. It includes practical and rigorous tools that enable organizations to identify targets and predict those targets' success with six measurable factors. With this proven development system, companies can develop a pipeline of ready leaders with high levels of engagement and retention. For any business that experiences a leadership failure or a lack of qualified leaders for vital positions, the consequences can be devastating. This practical and effective guide to leadership development offers real solutions for long-term excellence.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Phil Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jocelyn Bérard provides a comprehensive and practical framework for speeding up leadership development in any organization. He does this in three parts: Leadership and Succession – what it takes to be an effective leader, how to identify those with leadership potential and how to create a succession plan; Leadership in Action – important leadership competencies (and behaviors) including coaching, motivation, communication, delegation and influencing others; and Leadership Best Practices – ways for leaders to cascade down strategy, align their teams, manage personal transitions, employ performance management and embracing contemporary learning approaches.

Accelerating Leadership Development is a good read. It includes many insights, both from the author’s experience and research sources cited in the engaging “What the Experts Say” section at the end of each chapter. For example, self-awareness becomes more challenging the more senior you are because people are less likely to challenge your direction and behaviors. Bérard offers advice on how to address this challenge.

I am glad I read the hard cover version because I underlined many passages and made frequent annotations. This is a guide that is easily reflected on and applied to your leadership development needs. Some of the topics I noted most were the importance of structured practice in developing skills, leading virtual teams and contemporary development approaches. This book is written with an eye on the future.

Accelerating Leadership Development includes diverse viewpoints, from Marshall Goldsmith to Andy Warhol, which grounds the points in novel ways. Also, concepts and approaches are communicated through interesting stories and day-to-day analogies, adding spice to the content.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to develop leaders. I would also recommend it to a leader who wants to build his or her competencies, knowledge, experience and personal traits. The framework could be an effective accelerated development plan for personal growth and success.

Phil