In an essay for trainingzone.co.uk, Josh Bersin of Bersin & Associates tells us that despite reordered corporate priorities which often include slashed training and education budgets, “it turns out that in today’s tough times, well-run organisations are focusing more heavily on leadership development than ever before.” (The case for leadership development in tough economic times, March 25, 2009)
Bersin outlines three major needs in leadership development today:
- Building strength in first- and second-line management
- Driving change and engagement
- Building a dynamic career development model
His essay is relatively short but presents some examples and makes a strong case so please visit trainingzone.co.uk to read it.
Bersin closes with this positive development.
A senior leadership development director from a large U.S. banking institution told me that in the last recession the bank cut leadership development entirely. During the ensuing business upturn, the organisation had to start all over – rebuilding the programme, hiring people, and re-developing content. This time, he told me, "We have learned our lesson. Leadership development programmes take years to build. We are not going to make the mistakes of the past. This time around, we are maintaining our investment and continuing to evolve our programme even today."
Related posts:
- Tough Times Bring Mixed Messages in Leadership Development (Workforce Management)
- Advice to New CEOs in Tough Times (Wall Street Journal)
- Large Foundations Show Leadership During Challenging Economic Times
- What nonprofit leaders can do to prepare for a tough economy
- Dan McCarthy’s Leadership Development Carnival
Cutting Training, Sales and Marketing, and 'development' are the biggest mistakes most companies make.