Leadership Development in the Modern Workplace
Leadership development has taken center stage as businesses navigate an era of rapid transformation. In today’s workplace, executives recognize the pressing need to cultivate strong, forward-thinking leaders who can adapt, inspire and drive meaningful change.
Wharton notes that leadership gaps pose a serious risk to business success. To help combat this growing divide between the skills leaders already have and the skills they actually need for their roles, many organizations are investing in new strategies to nurture emerging leaders.
We tapped into the expertise of the HR Think Tank, a group of seasoned professionals dedicated to shaping the future of leadership, to better explore this topic. Their insights reveal the critical skills organizations are prioritizing and the innovative approaches they’re taking to develop high-impact leaders.
“Organizations must focus on human-centric skills, AI adoption and continuous learning.”
The New Leadership Paradigm: A Human-Centric Approach
Leadership today is about more than just decision-making—it’s about people. Laci Loew, Fellow at the Global Curiosity Institute, underscores this shift, pointing to research from the Josh Bersin Company that found 89% of companies report leadership gaps and 55% say the issue is urgent.
“The most successful leadership development solutions are focused on at least three key strategies,” Loew says: “(1) building human-centric competencies such as agility, collaboration, connection, critical thinking and emotional intelligence, (2) helping leaders with their rapid adoption of [artificial intelligence] tools to supercharge human talents like creativity and innovation and (3) fostering a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning.”
Organizations that embrace a holistic, human-centered leadership development model will be better positioned to navigate complexity and drive long-term growth.
“Leader well-being, a growth mindset and resilience are becoming more crucial for success.”
Essential Leadership Skills: What Matters Most Today?
Traditional leadership skills like communication and performance management remain important, but new competencies are gaining prominence. Ulrike Hildebrand, Strategic HR Advisor at Pin-Point Solutions, highlights the evolving focus: “Leadership development traditionally emphasizes skills like communication and performance management. While these are important, there’s [an] increasing focus on ‘people skills’ like emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Additionally, leader well-being, a growth mindset and resilience are becoming more crucial for success.”
Divya Divakaran, Director of HR at EVS, agrees, underscoring the need for adaptability and collaboration: “Organizations cultivate future leaders through coaching, leadership rotations, skill-based training and digital tools. Essential skills include critical thinking, adaptability, emotional intelligence, technological fluency and collaboration. By fostering a culture of innovation and resilience, companies ensure leaders can navigate complexity, drive growth and inspire high-performing teams.”
“Establishing mentorship programs offers personalized guidance, enabling potential leaders to gain insights from experienced professionals and refine their leadership capabilities.”
Mentorship and Hands-On Experience: Keys to Growth
While formal training programs play a role, real-world experience remains one of the most effective ways to develop leadership capabilities.
Britton Bloch, VP of Talent Acquisition Strategy at Navy Federal Credit Union, underscores the importance of mentorship: “Establishing mentorship programs offers personalized guidance, enabling potential leaders to gain insights from experienced professionals and refine their leadership capabilities. The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others, is vital for effective leadership. Emotional intelligence fosters empathy, enhances communication and builds strong team dynamics.”
Michael D. Brown, Senior Managing Partner at Global Recruiters of Buckhead, adds that leadership development must be immersive: “Today’s leaders need agility and technological fluency to navigate rapid change and leverage new opportunities. Organizations prioritize developing leaders who can attract and retain top talent through engaging cultures and build collaborative leadership styles that empower teams for optimal results. This is achieved through targeted training programs, mentoring and hands-on experience.”
“Organizations must remain committed to fostering diverse perspectives, building cultures of belonging and creating supportive environments for all demographics.”
Inclusive Leadership: A Competitive Advantage
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) remain central to leadership development. Nicole Smart, Founder of Smart EDI Solutions, stresses the importance of inclusive leadership: “Leadership isn’t just about authority—it’s about influence, trust, resilience, communication and transparency, all while inspiring teams toward a shared vision. Organizations are cultivating future leaders by fostering environments that emphasize adaptability, strategic thinking and, most importantly, inclusive leadership. A key focus of today’s leadership development programs is prioritizing emotional intelligence, data-driven decision-making and the ability to navigate complex, fast-changing business landscapes through human-centered approaches.”
DEI efforts have run into roadblocks recently, but they remain integral to creating cultures of belonging that drive innovation and long-term success. Companies can focus on these efforts by embedding inclusive leadership principles into development programs.
Actionable Strategies for Leadership Development
For organizations looking to enhance their leadership development efforts, here are key strategies to consider:
- Emphasize Human-Centric Skills – Develop leaders who excel in emotional intelligence, collaboration and adaptability.
- Leverage AI and Digital Tools – Equip leaders with technological fluency to complement their strategic decision-making.
- Foster Continuous Learning – Encourage curiosity and accountability for ongoing development and growth.
- Establish Mentorship Programs – Connect emerging leaders with experienced professionals for guidance and real-world learning.
- Prioritize Well-Being and Resilience – Support leaders in developing mental toughness and self-awareness to navigate challenges.
- Embed Inclusive Leadership Principles – Create leadership programs that emphasize DEI.
How to Set Up Leadership Development Programs for Long-Term Success
Organizations that prioritize human-centric skills, mentorship, adaptability and inclusive leadership will be well-equipped to cultivate the next generation of executives. According to members of the HR Think Tank, organizations must foster a culture of continuous learning, equip leaders with the right tools and keep leadership development a strategic priority. As businesses prepare for the future, investing in leadership programs that balance technical proficiency with emotional intelligence and innovation will be the key to long-term success.
