Organizations that effectively utilize a leaders
as teachers approach can realize six key strategic benefits.
Helps drive business results
The first reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that it drives business and
organizational results by ensuring strategic business alignment
between senior business leaders and the programs and services
provided by the learning function. A leaders-as-teachers program
that is aligned with strategic business and organizational goals
serves as a type of organizational insurance policy for leaders who
teach.
Stimulates the learning and development of leaders
and associates
The second reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that it serves as a catalyst for
the learning and development of the leaders and associates who
participate as students in leader-led programs. This dynamic occurs
in three ways: role modeling, creating a safe environment for
feedback, and building networks.
Improving the Leadership Skills of Those Who
Teach
The third reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that it has inherent development
qualities for those who teach. Many leader-teachers say that they
are not sure who learns more when they teach.the participants or
themselves. They move out of their comfort zone. Job challenges of
different types, sizes, shapes, and intensities are the "genetic
material" that enables leaders to learn, grow, change, and develop.
Teaching, for many leaders, is a very significant job challenge and
one that also helps them to see new viewpoints.
Strengthening Organizational Culture and
Communications
The fourth reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that leader-teachers have the
opportunity to strengthen their organization's culture and
communications. Culture transmission and communications through
leader-teachers occurs in numerous ways including role modeling,
social networks, communities of practice, continuous learning and
communication flow across geographies, businesses and
functions.
Promoting Positive Business and Organizational
Change
The fifth reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that it enables them to serve as
catalysts for business and organizational change through their
direct access to a wide range of learners.
Reducing Costs by Leveraging Top Talent
The sixth and final reason to implement a
leaders-as-teachers approach is that it drives numerous cost
efficiencies by leveraging top talent. The leaders-as-teachers
approach affords opportunities to deliver programs for "pennies on
the dollar" compared with many other forms of delivery.