I used to think formal leadership training was more about ticking boxes than real growth. I worried it might distract from genuinely growing as a leader through day to day work and team interactions. But my views have changed since starting our company's program. I found unexpected value in the program, particularly through exercises like the elevator pitch challenge, requesting and analyzing feedback from team members, and learning from new connections within our large global company.

So far, the training has improved my reflection, communication, and leadership skills, highlighting the importance of empowering my team, focusing on commercial viability, and balancing work-life integration. Not to mention, my "Co-hort" (fancy word they use for our training group), is made up of people from many business units, so I get to meet and learn from others whom otherwise i wouldn't normally interact. For instance, I had an insightful conversation with John a data scientist who works in Silicon Valley about our software sales and product vision. His Silicon Valley experience offered valuable perspectives on entrepreneurial thinking, which we both felt was lacking in our 100+ year old organization. We plan to stay connected and see how we can help our company in the future.

Key Takeaways

1. Reflect More: Stepping back and reflecting before acting has been invaluable.
2. Write it Down: Writing my thoughts helps clarify ideas and improve team communication.
3. Seek Feedback: Actively asking for team feedback has strengthened our feedback culture.
4. Empower with Autonomy: Coaching and giving my team more autonomy have proven effective.
5. Focus on Viability: Regularly checking the commercial viability of projects is crucial.
6. Work-Life Balance: Supporting work-life integration is key for high performance.

This training has been more transformative than I expected. It’s not just about completing a program but genuinely improving as a leader. If you’re skeptical about such programs, I’d say give it a shot—you might be surprised by the benefits.

This training isn’t over—it runs until September, with three more sessions to go. I’m excited for what’s next and the continuous growth it promises.

Until next time,

T