Building Leadership in High-Potential Technology Executives

A leading banking institution implemented a comprehensive leadership development program to build leadership in high-potential technology executives and to strengthen the network of the global management team. Executive Challenge reinforced the company’s training objectives by challenging participants to apply their learning to real-life scenarios.

Challenge

Recognizing the edge provided by top-notch talent, a major bank implemented a comprehensive leadership program to strengthen the skills of its technology executives. The bank chose the individuals in the target audience to be part of the program, because of their history of exceptional performance. The goal was to develop these executives from specialists to well-rounded all-stars. Participants already possessed exceptional technical skills; the training program was focused on building the business savvy and people skills to take them to the next level.

Approach

The client selected the Executive Challenge experience to provide participants
the experience of running an entire business rather than just a piece of it. The exercise challenged them to develop a “big picture” perspective, face real-world dilemmas, and grapple with issues that bank leaders face regularly. Using a foundation of the company’s core competencies for business leadership, Enspire structured the Executive Challenge program into a one-day module that fit into a larger context. Enspire teamed with the client to translate real-world banking issues into scenarios that arise during the simulation. Enspire and this preeminent banking institution used a co-facilitation model to challenge participants to think strategically and relate the experience to real life at the bank. Discussion also focused on team dynamics and communication critical to the corporate culture and the issues that arose during the simulation, including information leaks, outsourcing, and rumors of mergers.

Outcome

The day ended with each team pitching its “company” to a board of directors comprised of senior executives from the bank. The board questioned teams about the decisions they made and their execution and then chose the winner that reflected the bank’s core values. From start to finish, participants learned from the experience of running a business, which positioned them to begin the work of running a business within a business and driving maximum value for the bank.