The 2016 Best Companies for Leaders list is out. Here’s how Chief Executive phrased the announcement.
“Each year since 2005, Chief Executive has sought to identify those companies that excel in leadership development. In partnership with GrowthPlay (previously Chally Group), a sales and leadership research and consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, we canvas world-class companies through a questionnaire and interviews to learn what they are doing to identify and nurture people three or more levels down the chain from the CEO.”
Leadership development lessons from Best Companies for Leaders
The Best Companies for Leaders selection process can give you an idea of what you should do about developing leaders in your own company. Two lessons stand out.
Formal leadership development program
Effective leadership development programs don’t happen by accident. At every company on this list some person took the initiative to start a formal  program. Then, over years or decades other people committed time and money to that program.
The CEO spends time on leadership development
If there is a consistent lesson from all the studies of companies that consistently develop great leaders, this is it. CEO involvement is critical. I’m not just talking about the CEO “supporting” the program. The CEO sends the message that this is important by giving it time and attention. When the CEO does that, other leaders tend to follow suit.
