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• Creating a leadership development blueprint to fill gaps in skills
within the organization. 308

The following are some basic leadership development components that
might be considered in developing or modifying leadership development
initiatives for the organization: 309

• Classroom training -- If top management of the organization isn’t
careful, it will end up with just a single leadership development

approach, namely, classroom training. Classroom training certainly
should be used, but only as part of a larger leadership development
strategy.
• Group dialogues -- In any developmental program, it is important to
find ways to have the participants engage in useful dialogue,

whether they are in the classroom, on a blog, via social media, as part
of a role-play exercise, or any combination of these things. It’s critical
that these dialogues not become merely a group of leaders simply
going through the motions of a discussion. Relevant, challenging,
and engaging subjects and situations need to be provided for them to
work through.

• Mutual coaching and accountability -- Leaders have to learn to be
open and honest about their faults, and further, must learn to accept
help and counsel from others. Much can be gained from having
leaders discuss their struggles and weaknesses with each other and
then subsequently hold each other accountable. This serves not only

to improve themselves, but also to help others on the management
team get better. This could be anything from specific situations that
leaders are working through with their teams or the organization to
leaders’ personality traits or communication styles. Further, the
discussion shouldn’t be limited to just weaknesses. Leaders shouldn’t
be afraid to discuss goals and aspirations, as well, with an eye toward

holding each accountable for making progress toward achieving
those things.

308 Adapted from Taleo Research White Paper, “Seven Steps for Effective Leadership Development.” p. 7.
309
http://www.trainingmag.com/article/leadership-development-meets-teambuilding.
David Kolzow 286