In the Swiss headquarters of a global pharmaceutical multinational organization, 27 Team Leaders faced challenges in collaboration and engagement. They embarked on the Leadership Activation Journey, resulting in 93% of their superiors observing significant improvements in autonomy, communication, problem-solving, coaching, and cross-departmental collaboration within six months.
Written by Myriam Callegarin
In the Swiss headquarters of a global multinational organization operating in the pharma industry, 27 Team Leaders embarked on the Leadership Activation Journey. Managing between 3 and 75 people each, these Team Leaders faced complex and challenging contexts. Despite their individual commitment to doing good work, they encountered difficulties in collaborating across departments, leading to frustration with decision-making processes. Moreover, engaging and mobilizing uncooperative team members proved to be a challenging task, leading to ineffective information sharing and occasional frictions among colleagues. Recognizing the need for improvement, Top Management aimed to enhance the Team Leaders' communication effectiveness, proactivity, and autonomy.
Within just 6 months, the impact of the Leadership Activation Journey was evident. Remarkably, 93% of the participants' superiors noticed significant improvements in various aspects of the Team Leaders' performance, including autonomy, communication (including upwards), problem-solving, coaching, team leadership, and collaboration among different departments. The Team Leaders didn't just acquire new skills; they took initiative and spearheaded 12 cross-functional projects that significantly improved processes, employee engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. These projects were so successful that some were integrated as ongoing initiatives, continuing to yield positive outcomes 18 months after their implementation.
To achieve such transformative results, the Leadership Activation Journey was thoughtfully planned and executed. The program started with a Kick-Off Workshop, engaging not only the Team Leaders but also their managers and HR. The 27 Team Leaders were then divided into 3 groups to facilitate focused learning. The program's progress was measured through a pre-program assessment, a mid-program assessment, and a post-program assessment. Throughout the 6-month journey, participants attended 4 face-to-face, 1-day workshops with their respective groups. In between these workshops, they were required to complete targeted activities on-the-job and met monthly in online group sessions to overcome specific challenges. One of the highlights of the program was empowering the Team Leaders to identify and undertake projects relevant to their company's needs. These projects often involved collaboration across departments and functions, fostering a sense of unity and collective success. The program culminated in a Celebration Event, which, due to Covid restrictions, was held virtually, where the participants showcased their impressive projects through emotional and inspiring videos.
The effects of the Leadership Activation Journey extended far beyond the 6-month program. Even years later, many participants still employ on a daily basis the tools and skills acquired, testifying to the program's lasting impact. The program not only transformed their leadership capabilities, making them more confident and effective leaders but also significantly improved their personal relationships. Such profound growth led to some participants earning promotions to high positions, with many crediting the program for making this advancement possible. The Leadership Activation Journey had a ripple effect, shaping both their professional and personal lives positively.
