Developing our first line and middle managers

Pharmaceutical Sector

The Challenge

• A global pharmaceutical organization with no global consistent approach to leadership development was finding itself now in need to develop key leadership skills to tackle business issues, deliver higher levels of performance, engagement of their people and retain their key talent and new hires.

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The Solution

• Through partnering with the L&D team, we did extensive discovery which involved interviews with key stakeholders across the business from each area and each level. This informed key leadership behaviors to be measured through a 360 diagnostic and the key content for a 12-month program for both first-line managers and middle managers. The program also included a bespoke business simulation that was built to allow them to manage a global organization with a portfolio of products across different geographic markets that represented their own business dilemmas.

• The 12-month program consisted of the following:

  • Launch event

  • 1:1 Coaching

  • Four two-day modules

  • Action Learning Groups (ALGs)

  • Pre-reading

  • 360 Feedback Reports

  • Line Manager conversations

  • Business Improvement Project

  • Learning Journey presentation

The Outcomes

​First line managers showed increases in all aspects of leadership behaviors measured in pre and post 360. Significant improvements were seen in ‘knowing the business’, ‘focusing on the customer’, and ‘building strong relationships’.

​Middle managers showed increases in all aspects of leadership behaviors measured in pre and post 360. Significant improvements were seen in ‘inspirational leadership’, ‘delivering on commitments’, and ‘building strong relationships’.

In the first 6 months following the program, 25% of attendees had either taken a promotion or had taken on increased responsibilities and scope in their existing role.