Building Next Generation Business Leaders
Developing Skills to Propel Growth
Article Published in I95 Business Magazine: https://i95business.com/articles/content/building-next-generation-business-leaders-2485
The long-term success of a business hinges on the development of managers who can not only skillfully run operations but are be able inspire staff toward a vision, navigate change and build cultures of trust and accountability.
While a handful of individuals may have those innate characteristics of a born leader, the ability to think strategically, to communicate effectively, to inspire and lead, are skills that can be learned over time. Next Generation Leaders is a program designed to do just that. Next Generation Leaders is dedicated to building exceptional business leaders who can meet the demands of tomorrow.
“Next Generation Leaders is a cohesive training program offered across the United States, that focuses on the leadership competencies needed for managers to achieve success at different levels of a business. From front line management, to middle management to the executive level, the courses are designed to strengthen management skills while developing leadership capabilities that can propel a company to next level growth,” explains Denise O’Neill, Next Generation Leaders CEO.
There are distinct markers that define managers and leaders. Both are needed for a business to be healthy.
A manager is an administrator who implements and monitors processes, and oversees work getting done efficiently and on plan. Conversely, a leader focuses on understanding and galvanizing people, and on helping staff understand how their work contributes toward the achievement of a vision for the company, O’Neill says. A manager solves problems and is in control, while a leader models the way. A manager directs and organizes staff, while a leader challenges the status quo and encourages innovation, she adds.
“We’re not saying you should be only leader or only a manager, we’re developing people to be skilled in both areas. A company that only has leaders focused on vison creation isn’t going to be able to effectively operate. A company with too many managers limits growth because the focus is on process and administration and not on innovation and future strategy creation. Our goal is to strengthen both management skillset and develop leaders who can create high performing teams,” O’Neill says.
The program was launched in 2018 by O’Neill and her husband Martin. The principles and disciplines found in it are based on of Martin’s 2016 book “Next Generation Leaders.” The couple converted the wisdom in the book into a learning management system, then developed a workbook to support it. Once that was complete, they rolled the program out virtually. The leadership training program was growing when the pandemic hit in 2020, but because it had been launched virtually, O’Neill says they were able to continue working with their clients, preparing them for the future.
As companies grow, training is provided to teach management and leadership skills to technically competent employees who can grow into strong future corporate leaders. Participants learn how to recruit, build and motivate high performing teams, lead effectively through change, handle difficult people, seed innovation cultures, and build revenues by identifying, extending and expanding the business.
The leadership education program is not a one-size fits all platform. Next Generation Leaders is divided into different levels, depending on the experience of the participants. There curriculum is differentiated for each program. O’Neill says the participants look at personal leadership styles, decision making methodologies and strategies to help them improve their outcomes. The first level, Next Generation Leaders, is a 15-month program that covers a variety of topics essential to novice leaders, including best practices for building high-performing teams, how to address conflict management issues, how to coach and motivate others, improve communications skills and more. The goal is to not only help the participants excel in their roles, but to enable them to become leaders who can build teams that can successfully scale with business growth. Next Generation Leaders is aimed at managers who have three or fewer years of experience in their roles, O’Neill says.
Other programs include the LEVELUP platform, which is designed to upskill middle level or seasoned managers. Managers who have been in their roles for years are often overlooked for in-house development training programs. LEVELUP is designed to address that need. Managers in the LevelUp program are assessed for leadership skills and learn how their DISC profile influences the way they communicate and interact with others. They experiment with new communication strategies to improve employee engagement and effectively handle critical conversations with staff and clients. Emotional intelligence and the ability to work through people is a characteristic of successful leadership. The LevelUP program measures each participant’s Emotional Quotient pre and post-graduation with those having low to moderate EQ scores improving 5 points on average.
“Companies are realizing that in order to grow and scale their businesses, they need to upgrade their middle managers,” O’Neill says. To date, hundreds of middle managers have gone through the program.
Executive Edge is the newest training program focused on boosting the leadership skills of senior level executives. It offers participants practical methods to building consensus and high performing teams, new approaches to develop business strategy and create value, and improved analysis and problem solving competencies. Assessment like DISC and Emotional Quotient assessments are also utilized to help individuals expand self-awareness, read emotional dynamics and build credibility and trust.
“Data shows that most successful leaders have higher emotional quotient scores. Unlike your IQ, your EQ is something that grows until you die. Our pre-and post-assessments show that emotional quotient levels grow in both the LevelUP and Executive Edge programs.,” O’Neill says. “You have to stay physically and mentally fit to be a good leader. By paying attention to the EQ, managers learn more about themselves, their own mental health and how it translates to creating a more engaged, healthy and productive culture.
“If you want to create a culture of leadership at your company, then leadership principles have to be taught at every level of the company. You want all leaders to understand these truths. It has to permeate the organization. If you want to improve your company’s long term performance, you have to improve your manager’s leadership effectiveness,” O’Neill concludes.