STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

There are many leadership training programs available, but often they lack impact beyond their informational value. Adult learning theory suggests that for greater impact, there must be a strategic plan for introducing change, and participants must have a chance to practice new skills and use them in real-life situations. A leadership development model, the 4A Model, goes beyond traditional leadership development. The leadership model has four components: assessment, alignment, application, and achievement. One of the main factors in determining how to shape leadership programs is the needs assessment, which is an essential first step in the development process. The model links leadership competencies to organizational goals. Improvements shown in the data over the four measurement periods are a stronger indicator of success than traditional methods that measure the participant satisfaction. The leadership model measures the direct impact of leadership development on practice outcomes.