"A pioneering talent strategy makes a modern organization successful"
Javier Fernández-Combarro
Madrid / 12 May 2020
Why companies must invest in leadership development and not just only training managers
Whether you believe leaders are made or born, unleashing the full potential of employees by optimizing their expertise and building a high-performing team is the only way to guarantee a company’s long-term success. And the only way to achieve this is by investing in continuous leadership development, shifting mindsets from solely management to leadership.
The formula? Top management walking the talk and creating wide-ranging programs that suit every individual depending on their career path, connects leaders with the strategy and helps shape culture and build teamwork. The time of spending money on one-size-fits all training and checking-the-box is over.
At Siemens Gamesa, we strive to create a talent-centric organization, where we encourage employees to take ownership, drive Human Resources colleagues to act as counselors, and urge managers to embrace the role of leading their teams through an open and honest relationship.
Our Leadership Ecosystem is a modular approach that offers managers and future managers a variety of tools and programs to choose from, including inspirational assets, development plans like coaching or mentoring, as well as specific leadership programs. In this regard, we have partnered with INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, to create four ad-hoc courses for our leaders, including those who are still early in their careers all the way up to the executive community.
It is clear to me that to guarantee a company’s sustainable future, it is critical to have a leadership strategy that connects with the business strategy, preparing employees with the required leadership skills and willingness to implement it.
For example, a good leader will be able to respond rapidly to unpredictable business environments and offer guidance, allowing his/her team to navigate through change and challenges in an agile way.
Additionally, leaders have a role in helping organizations to stay true to their essence – mission, vision, and values, together with culture – at all times. Bearing this in mind and transmitting it correctly, guarantees integrity in all business practices.
Lastly, investing in leadership development is a way of showing employees that you care about them, that you want them to be part of the transformation from workplaces to great places to work.
There are as many definitions of leadership as there are leaders. But what it is true is that studies, academic articles, well-known culture consultants, and members of our own workforce recognize leadership as a keystone of engagement – essential to maximizing efficiency and to achieving company goals. Therefore, putting resources into leadership development and having a comprehensive, pioneering talent and leadership strategy are effective ways to make a modern organization a success.
