New Research Shows U.S. Leadership Development Spending Surges 14 Percent

(From PRNewswire) – New research released by Bersin & Associates shows U.S. companies have increased leadership development spending 14 percent over 2011 levels, to an estimated $13.6 billion in 2012. The findings also indicate a shift in spending further down the leadership chain as companies focus on developing all levels of leaders, especially high-potential talent, to remain competitive.

Although companies traditionally have invested heavily in senior leaders, today senior leaders consume 22 percent of the leadership development, the research reveals. That’s a lower proportion than in prior years, as more money is directed down the leadership chain.

The research also found that high-potential leaders are critical to ensuring that businesses meet their goals now and in years to come. Increasingly, executives are realizing how important this group is to corporate competitiveness. As a result, organizations are investing heavily, spending approximately $7,100 per high-potential leader on development initiatives.

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