Many employers admit their leadership development programs are no longer competitive, according to a survey of 3,000 senior HR executives by Novations Group, a consulting and training firm based in Boston.  One in three employers concedes its programs need updating and improvement, while only one in six believes it is ahead of competitors.

Which of the following best describes your organization´s leadership development program?

• Our leadership programs are ahead of competitors.      16.1% 
• Our leadership programs are on a par with competitors.      39.4% 
• Our leadership programs need updating and improvement.      34.3% 
• We don´t provide leadership programs.      10.2%

What should most concern employers is the evident complacency expressed by nearly 40% of respondents, said Novations Group Senior Vice President Gerry Lupacchino.  "A plurality seems to think parity is okay even though leadership development is a fundamental differentiator in attracting and holding onto top talent.  More significantly, leadership development is essential in order for an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.  So it´s illogical that parity is acceptable for leadership development, yet unacceptable when it comes to competitive advantage."  

"We increasingly find is a disconnect between executive T&D and the organization´s strategic direction," observed Lupacchino.  "Programs tend to be only loosely related to strategy.  By nature, leadership programs are slow to adapt to changing market conditions.  The focus is often fixed on making people better at what they´re already doing rather than developing them into what they could become."

The good news, Lupacchino said, is that the T&D marketplace is savvier than it ever was.  "Employers are more sure of their current needs, more skeptical of gurus and gimmicks, and more demanding of training providers.  Today´s big challenge is for leadership training to become more nimble and aligned with the organization´s business objectives.  Development has to be relevant and responsive.  And that will require senior management and T&D to work closer together, with joint intentions, more so than they may have in the past."

The Novations Group Internet survey of 3,100 senior HR and development executives was conducted by Equation Research.

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Boston, Novations Group is a leading employee performance improvement organization that serves clients on four continents.  For information visit http://www.novations.com/.

Contact:  Pat FitzGerald, Novations, 617-787-2163, pfitzgerald@novations.com, or Phil Ryan, Ryan Public Relations, 845-339-7858.