Case Study:
Altitude: Transformative Executive Leadership Development
The Altitude program, an immersive executive leadership development initiative, brought together leaders from three collaborative companies—Acxiom, Matterkind, and Kinesso—for a transformative off-site experience. The goal was to foster deep collaboration and provide leaders with actionable insights to address organizational challenges and cultivate positive change. This case study examines the effectiveness of the program, focusing on the pre-event coaching, residential sessions, and the subsequent application of learnings.
Objectives
Program Design and Execution
Pre-Event Group Coaching
The pre-event group coaching session aimed to prepare participants for the residential program. Feedback indicated that this session was moderately helpful, serving as an introduction to the program’s goals and providing initial networking opportunities. While some participants felt the session could have been more focused, most appreciated the context it provided, which helped in establishing connections and setting expectations for the in-person event.
Key Feedback:
Positive: Participants valued the initial networking and contextual understanding it provided. It was seen as a useful way to start building relationships and prepare for the residential sessions.
Residential Program
The residential program, held in Denver, was the core component of the Altitude initiative. It was designed to be an immersive experience, allowing leaders to step away from their daily work and engage in deep, reflective, and collaborative activities. The feedback highlights several key aspects of the residential program:
- Rethinking Leadership: Participants found that the program challenged their existing approaches to leadership. It encouraged them to rethink their strategies and consider diverse perspectives through exercises like the “lens” method.
- Collaboration and Relationship Building: The face-to-face setting allowed for unprecedented levels of engagement and relationship building, breaking down barriers between organizations and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
- Tools and Techniques: Participants appreciated the practical tools provided, such as methods for handling chaos and understanding complex systems, which they found valuable for both personal and organizational growth.
Results
All participants provided positive feedback on the program, with 71% highlighting the professionalism of the coaches.
An overwhelming 94% of participants were highly satisfied with the Altitude program, indicating a strong overall positive reception and the effectiveness of the program in meeting its objectives.
Most participants (88%) planned to apply the techniques learned during the program in their leadership practices.
A substantial 82% of participants felt the residential program had a significant impact on their leadership development.
Conclusion
The Altitude program stands as a model for successful executive leadership development, demonstrating the power of immersive experiences in fostering collaboration and driving organizational excellence.
The Altitude program successfully met its objectives of fostering transformative collaboration and enhancing leadership capabilities. The combination of pre-event coaching, immersive residential sessions, and post-program application created a robust framework for leadership development. The feedback underscores the program’s effectiveness in facilitating meaningful connections, providing actionable insights, and driving positive organizational change.
