3 Leadership Development Programmes that Focus on Strategy & Conscious Leadership
3 Leadership Development Programmes that Focus on Strategy & Conscious Leadership & Deliver Results
In an era where leadership is increasingly defined by empathy, ethics and mindfulness our “Conscious Leadership in Action” series serves as a vital resource for forward-thinking leaders who wish to drive meaningful change in their organisations.
This series will explore how conscious leadership principles can be applied practically to not only enhance leadership effectiveness but also to align with and amplify organisational strategies. Throughout, we’ll demonstrate how embracing conscious leadership can lead to measurable improvements in metrics such as returns on investment. We frequently scan the industry, to keep up to date.
Here are 3 Leadership development programmes that align to the principles of conscious leadership that deliver results:
1. Unilever’s Future Leaders Programme
Unilever’s Future Leaders Programme (UFLP) is designed to identify and develop high-potential talent. It’s about shaping individuals who can drive Unilever’s long-term strategy while staying true to the principles of sustainability, innovation, and diversity.
The programme combines on-the-job learning, mentoring, sustainability, innovation and leadership in diverse markets. Beyond technical competencies, UFLP focuses on fostering conscious leadership, ensuring that participants are prepared to lead with integrity, purpose, and a commitment to creating positive social impact. Here are the key principles of conscious leadership that the programme emphasises:
Purpose-Driven Leadership
UFLP encourages leaders to operate with a clear sense of purpose, which is aligned with Unilever’s broader mission of making sustainable living commonplace. Participants are taught to make decisions that are not just profitable but also meaningful and contribute to a greater good.
Ethical Decision-Making
Conscious leadership requires a strong ethical foundation. The programme emphasises integrity and ethics, training participants to consider the ethical implications of their decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and the environment.
Sustainability and Responsibility
A key principle of conscious leadership is the commitment to sustainability—not only in environmental terms but also in fostering sustainable business practices that ensure long-term success without compromising future generations. The FLP’s strong focus on sustainability challenges participants to innovate and lead in ways that reduce environmental impact, promote social equity, and create economic value in a responsible manner. This principle is integrated into the curriculum and projects, ensuring that future leaders understand their role in driving sustainable change.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
Conscious leaders are empathetic and emotionally intelligent, understanding that leadership is not just about managing tasks but also about leading people with care and compassion. This principle is key to building strong, resilient teams. The mentoring and coaching aspects of the programme are designed to enhance participants’ emotional intelligence, teaching them to lead with empathy, listen actively, and respond to the needs and concerns of their teams and communities.
A Long-Term Vision
Conscious leadership prioritises long-term success over short-term gains. The programme instils a strategic mindset in participants, encouraging them to think about the long-term implications of their actions and decisions. Through strategic projects and global rotations, participants are challenged to develop and implement long-term strategies that contribute to Unilever’s global goals, ensuring they are prepared to lead the company toward sustainable future growth.
Unilever has reported that participants of the programme are 30% more likely to advance to senior leadership roles, which directly correlates with the company’s ability to successfully execute its global strategy.
Sources & Further Reading
https://careers.unilever.com/unilever-future-leaders-programme
https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/graduate-jobs/unilever/uflp-human-resources-uk-2023
https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com/unilever-future-leaders-programme-2024-for-young-graduates/
https://careers.unilever.com/NL-UFLP
https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/07/how-unilever-is-preparing-for-the-future-of-work
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Reviews/Unilever-Unilever-Future-Leaders-Program-Reviews-EI_IE3513.0,8_KO9,40.htm
2. Adobe Leadership Circles Program
The Adobe Leadership Circles Program is a talent programme that cultivates leadership skills and behaviours that align closely with the principles of conscious leadership. Here’s how:
Self-Awareness and Personal Growth
Conscious leaders are deeply self-aware, understanding their motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and the impact they have on others. The Leadership Circles Program encourages leaders to engage in self-reflection, receive feedback, and continuously develop their self-awareness. The program includes assessments, coaching and peer discussions that help leaders become more aware of their behaviours and the impact of their actions on their teams and the broader organisation.
Authenticity and Vulnerability
Authenticity involves being true to oneself and being open and transparent in interactions with others. Vulnerability, a key aspect of authenticity, involves sharing challenges and uncertainties. The Adobe Leadership Circles program fosters a culture where leaders are encouraged to be authentic and vulnerable. By participating in peer learning circles, leaders can share their experiences, challenges, and learnings in a safe and supportive environment, promoting a culture of openness and trust.
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Conscious leaders lead with a clear sense of purpose, aligning their actions and decisions with their values and the broader mission of the organisation. On the programme, leaders are encouraged to explore their personal and professional purpose and values, ensuring that their leadership style and superpowers are aligned.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Continuous learning is central to conscious leadership, as it involves an ongoing commitment to personal and professional development. The program’s structure, with ongoing learning circles and coaching, reflects a commitment to continuous development. Leaders are encouraged to remain curious, seek new perspectives, and adapt to evolving challenges, which is a key tenet of conscious leadership.
The programme celebrated its 10th year at Adobe in 2023 and over 800 high-performing women at Adobe have graduated with an impressive 35% of participants having been promoted to Director-level and above.
Sources & Further Reading
How The Leadership Circles Program At Adobe Helps Grow Female Leaders https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2023/01/10/how-the-leadership-circles-program-at-adobe-helps-grow-female-leaders/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mckenzie-e-672995a_how-the-leadership-circles-program-at-adobe-activity-7099016081448566786-HaRA/
https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/cc/en/corporate-responsibility/pdfs/Adobe-CSR-Report-2023.pdf
3. McKinsey’s Centered Leadership Program
McKinsey & Company developed the Centered Leadership Program to help senior leaders enhance their self-awareness, resilience, and ability to execute strategies effectively. The programme incorporates neuroscience, positive psychology, and leadership research to develop well-rounded leaders who can drive change and execution within their organisations.
The programme is built around these five key dimensions:
Meaning: Finding purpose in work, which enhances personal satisfaction and leadership performance.
Framing: Managing and reframing negative emotions and stress into opportunities for growth.
Connecting: Building and leveraging relationships within and outside the organization to foster collaboration and innovation.
Engaging: Embracing risk and uncertainty to drive change and encourage others to act with courage.
Energising: Sustaining personal energy to maintain resilience and drive in the face of challenges.
Organisations that have implemented the Centered Leadership framework report significant benefits. These include improved employee engagement, a 20% increase in leadership effectiveness and enhanced capabilities in strategy execution. Participants engage in activities that help them develop mindfulness, resilience and the ability to lead others through change. The programme is designed to be interactive and practical, with a strong emphasis on real-world application and continuous personal development.
Sources & Further Reading
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/leadership/the-value-of-centered-leadership-mckinsey-global-survy-results
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/centered-leadership-creates-connection-in-turbulent-times
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/leadership/how-centered-leaders-achieve-extraordinary-results
This article showcases how leadership development programmes rooted in conscious leadership principles can enhance both individual and organisational success.
As the value of conscious leadership gains recognition, programmes like these offer a clear path to fostering meaningful transformation in the corporate world, with influence beyond.
Authors: Thor Olafsson & Kate Tuck
