Client: leading for-profit higher education provider

The context

A leading global for-profit higher education provider had undergone significant changes in its business structure while also navigating sweeping changes in the higher education ecosystem. The organization partnered with ZRG to review and refresh its existing leadership development program for high-potential director/senior director-level leaders to ensure the program aligned with changing leadership success criteria in this dynamic environment.

Our approach

After a collaborative discovery process to understand the organization’s current and future leadership needs, ZRG partnered with the client to co-create a revised leadership development program for high-potential director/senior director leaders that would elevate and accelerate their skills in thinking and acting as strategic business leaders, leading change, building high-performing teams, and collaborating cross-functionally. The 12-month experiential learning journey was organized around three key leadership development focus areas (i.e., Focus Inward, Focus Outward, and Focus Forward), with an underlying emphasis on authentic, intentional leadership.

The program included:

• In-person learning symposiums and virtual learning sessions
• Group coaching sessions
• A strong focus on self-knowledge through 360° feedback and three assessment instruments
• Business knowledge virtual sessions led by senior leaders
• Internal client mentors
• Internal senior leader interaction during in-person sessions

Results

• Participants rated the program high on all metrics, including an average score of 9.5/10 on value of learning sessions, 9.4/10 on value of coaching, and 10/10 on value of networking/ building cross-functional relationships with colleagues.
• Extremely positive and impactful qualitative feedback:
  • "All the content was helpful and inspired me to be a better leader"
  • "Best development in my 16-year career here"
• Program sponsors and organization leadership determined the program met the stated business objectives and delivered a significant impact. As a result, they invested in putting two additional cohorts through the program (75+ leaders in total across 3 cohorts).

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