Session Focus: Developing self-aware, culturally attuned leaders through peer learning
In this session, we explored innovative strategies for nurturing mid-level "leaders of leaders" through Lead Belay's virtual peer coaching program. Three key takeaways emerged:
- Use minimal content and instead create space for self-discovery, peer learning, and practicing skills like coaching.
- Allow participants to choose their own development objectives within a guiding framework rather than forcing set objectives.
- Prioritize building psychological safety and trust within diverse small cohorts, including from cross-company participants.
The 7 or 11-week program breaks from traditional leadership training by being highly experiential and content-light.
Panelists who went through the program lauded features like rapid relationship building exercises that quickly fostered cohort trust despite being virtual. They appreciated the freedom to define their own leadership vision through self-reflection and peer workshopping, while still getting light facilitation from professional coaches.
"You learn to apply the skills to the challenges you face in your organization's culture." -- Andrea Nunez
Rather than one-size-fits-all content dumps, Lead Belay's design meets leaders where they are through small cohorts purposefully grouped for diversity. This creates an intimate environment for vulnerable discussions and mutual accountability for committed behavior changes back on the job.
By prioritizing self-awareness over rote skill teaching, the Next-Level Leader Ascent program exemplifies a powerful shift towards developing authentic leaders attuned to their organizational culture's unique challenges.
