Leadership Acceleration Program

Accelerating the readiness of succession candidates for the senior-most levels is one of the most critical issues facing many organizations. Our Leadership Acceleration Program helps organizations develop, align, and prepare the next generation of leaders for expanded roles at the next level. Our program provides the senior executive team with a platform for transforming the organization, its people, and delivering breakthrough financial improvements.

Why the leadership acceleration program works

Our leadership acceleration program is effective for one simple, but powerful reason - senior business leaders teach the program. Rather than transferring the responsibility for talent development to the Human Resource function or outsourcing it to external advisors, designated program executives see it as one of their top goals and responsibilities. They remain front and center throughout the program and embrace the opportunity to teach the next generation of leaders themselves.

Program executives teach what they know about the business, what they believe as leaders, and what has made them successful. Our simple framework allows the program to be designed and delivered in a way that reflects the unique needs of the organization, and that helps deliver the outcomes that the organization wants.

What makes our leadership acceleration program powerful is not polished delivery and studied technique. It is authenticity. You know your business and you have demonstrated success - your people want to hear it from you. We help you crystallize what is really important to you - your business, the experiences you’ve had, the principles you hold - and build a program around them. Through our leadership acceleration program, we help senior executives organize their ideas; our process and teaching tools make those ideas engaging and actionable.

How the leadership acceleration program works

The Leadership Acceleration Program typically involves an 8 to 12-month commitment by senior executives and selected high-potential leaders within your organization.

We use an initial session with the senior leader to determine the issues and capabilities that need to be addressed. We also provide assistance selecting the 12 to 24 individuals who will participate in the program. In our experience, the program works best when the participants are direct reports of the senior leadership team - i.e., when it’s a skip-level program.

Employing the program framework, we recommend an overall program design, which includes agendas, teaching modules, assessment tools, and compelling readings. We work with senior executives to develop teaching points that play to their strengths, and we help them prepare for their part in the program.

The leadership acceleration program delivers results

Development and retention of key players - These individuals have the highest standards for relevant training. They don’t want another classroom seminar: they want an experience from someone who has been there, a chance to explore difficult topics, and an opportunity to build networks with peers and seasoned leaders.

Financial performance - Strategic projects that may be undertaken by program participants typically pay for the cost of the training- and then some. We will help you choose projects that can be completed in the appropriate time frame and will generate real savings or revenues greater than the cost of running the program.

Talent review and assessment - The program executive gets a close, first-hand look at the organization’s best and brightest, which allows a clear evaluation of bench strength. The program’s “skip-level” selection puts you in close contact with the future of the company. Having the opportunity to study the bench yourself tells you about much more than the talent you are evaluating - it also tells you about the ability of your direct reports to judge talent.

Unfiltered sounding board - By establishing a high level of candor with the skip-level participants, the program executive can learn the unvarnished truth about what’s going on at the front lines of the organization. Program participants also typically serve as a think tank for generating innovative ideas - and a reality check on their viability within and outside the company.

Implement ZRG's leadership acceleration program within your organization 

If you’re interested in learning more about our tried-and-tested leadership accelerations program, and would like to implement it within your own team, simply fill in the form below, or submit an inquiry via our contact page. A member of our leadership development team will be in touch shortly to discuss your organization’s goals, and how we can best support you with leveling up your existing team into accomplished future leaders. 


At ZRG, we offer a wide range of services which assist organizations in building the strongest, most effective teams that they can. From executive search solutions to our business consulting services, get in touch today to see how ZRG Partners can help transform your business.



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Leadership Acceleration: Frequently Asked Questions

What is leadership acceleration?

Leadership accelerations is a targeted employee development strategy, in which team members with leadership potential are offered training and support in order to develop these skills, ahead of a possible promotion to a leadership position. Leadership acceleration often goes hand-in-hand with succession planning, as it involves organizations identifying future leaders, and taking steps to ensure they are ready for progression.

What does a leadership acceleration program typically involve?

Whilst leadership acceleration can take many forms, a leadership acceleration program is a formalized course which future leaders can undertake to develop the skills and capabilities they will need to undertake a leadership role in the future. A leadership acceleration program may include:

While certain leadership acceleration programs may differ, there should always be a focus on skills development and support, in order for the program to be effective as a training tool for future leaders

How do we identify the right candidates for a leadership acceleration program?

There are a number of ways to identify potential leadership acceleration candidates from within your organization. Some examples may be:

What are the key skills an employee must learn to become a leader?

When considering whether a team member may be suitable for a leadership acceleration program, it’s important to consider what personal and professional qualities they have which make them a good candidate. Some positive skills that a team member may have which may make them a good candidate include:

Is it better to develop existing employees for leadership, or hire externally?

There is no definitive answer as to whether it’s better to develop existing employees for leadership positions, or to hire externally. This will be dependent on a number of factors, such as the current skillset of your team members, and whether you have time to develop the individual before the need for leadership becomes too great. 

There are benefits and drawbacks to both options. Whilst an existing employee will have more understanding of your existing processes and company mission, a fresh perspective from an outside employee may help to drive your company forwards.

If you’d like to assess your current team for leadership potential, or would like assistance with your executive search, ZRG Partners offer a wide range of consulting solutions to support businesses, and their future growth.

How can we implement the ZRG Partners leadership acceleration program at our company?

To learn more about our leadership acceleration program, and find out how we can help you to develop future leaders within your organizations, you can fill in the contact form above or submit an inquiry via our contact page. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to discuss your unique business goals, and what the next steps will be if you wish to implement the program within your team.

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