CUSTOMER STORY
Fortune 100 Leader in Heavy Machinery Creates Leadership Excellence With AceUp
“We are seeing a step function improvement in our overall safety performance. Leadership is a big play into that conversation. The teams are working together better. They’re self-solving. Their self-solving doesn’t require my political capital in the conversation. They’re literally working together as a high-functioning team. And it is so powerful. The psychological safety conversation is huge, and it’s moving the needle.”
– VP and Factory Manager at Fortune 100 Company
Company
Fortune 100 Industry Leader
Location
Midwestern U.S.
Profile
Agricultural, construction, forestry machinery, technology
Challenge
Enhancing leadership capabilities and team cohesion within their organization
Solution
Team & Leadership Coaching
An established global leader in heavy machinery was grappling with significant leadership challenges, including building trust within regional teams, enhancing teamwork, and breaking down organizational silos to foster better collaboration. Additionally, the company faced the need to navigate global supply chain disruptions, provide support to teams experiencing heightened stress, and shift towards a more collaborative corporate culture.
To tackle these issues, the company partnered with AceUp, implementing a comprehensive leadership transformation strategy that leveraged personalized individual coaching as well as tailored team coaching. Hundreds of members of staff experienced group coaching, team coaching, as well as 1:1 Coaching, driven by 360 Assessments, consistent debriefs, and more.
The Challenge
Unpacking Leadership and Organizational Issues
The client faced several challenges that prompted the need to tackle significant internal and external pressures. Above all, the company’s leadership needed to ensure consistent development across geographically dispersed teams while responding to both global supply chain pressures and safety concerns.
Organizational Silos
As the company grew, different departments and regional teams operated in isolation, creating silos that hindered effective communication and collaboration. This lack of cohesion hindered effective communication and collaboration.
Leadership in Diverse Settings
The company’s leadership found it increasingly difficult to manage teams that were not only geographically dispersed but also culturally diverse. This challenge was about maintaining a consistent leadership style that catered to varied team dynamics and ensured that leadership practices were inclusive and equitable across all levels and regions.
Global Supply Chain Pressures
The recent disruptions in global supply chains had a significant impact on the company’s operations. Leaders needed to navigate these challenges while keeping their teams motivated and focused, despite the increased stress and uncertainty that these disruptions brought.
Innovation and Technology Integration
With the rapid pace of technological innovation, the company required a leadership approach that could create an environment conducive to embracing new technologies. This included training leaders to manage the transformation in ways that aligned with the company’s long-term strategic goals.
Cultural Shifts
Adapting to a corporate culture that supports open communication and reduces hierarchy was essential. The company sought to shift from a traditionally conservative approach to one that embraced more dynamic and flexible methods of leadership and problem-solving. Addressing these challenges required a robust transformation strategy that included developing new leadership competencies, enhancing communication channels, and developing a more collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
“Coaching has been really helpful in providing me with the time to focus and reflect on my actions as a leader.”
– Coachee at Fortune 100 Company
The Solution
Tailored Coaching Programs Targeting Key Personnel
AceUp implemented a comprehensive competency model, integrating advanced assessments, to target specific leadership development areas across various management levels. This approach allowed for precise identification of gaps in leadership skills and behaviors, helping leaders align quickly with their teams while fostering a more collaborative environment.
Key elements of the approach included:
- Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) and Hogan Assessments to identify skill gaps.
- 90-day New Leader Assimilation Coaching to support leadership transitions.
- Team Compass Assessments to guide leaders on team development.
- Regional team coaching to enhance collaboration and alignment.
Human-Centered Leadership Development
AceUp’s competency model identified critical leadership gaps, utilizing tools like the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) and Hogan Assessments. New Leader Assimilation Coaching helped leaders align with their teams rapidly, while the Team Compass Assessments provided insights into team dynamics through heat maps, guiding where leaders needed to focus on team development. This model ensured leadership efforts were highly targeted and relevant to the client’s strategic objectives.
Personalized Learning and Executive Coaching
AceUp provided personalized microlearning sessions tailored to the individual needs of the company’s many leaders. Complemented by access to a global network of over a thousand executive coaches—rigorously selected through a process that accepts only the top 3%—this vast resource enabled personalized coaching at scale. These sessions accommodated different leadership challenges and learning styles across the globe.
Connected Leadership Transformation
To ensure cohesive leadership practices across all levels of the organization, AceUp implemented tech-enabled tools, including Team Compass and Hogan Assessments, to facilitate goal alignment and collaborative team coaching. This approach bridged the gaps between frontline managers and C-suite executives, creating a unified leadership strategy aligned with the company’s goals.
Real-Time Behavioral and People Analytics
Using real-time data analytics, AceUp provided actionable insights, including heat maps and behavioral assessments from Hogan and LCP. These insights aligned talent strategies with business goals and allowed leaders to dynamically adjust training programs and interventions based on real-time performance data.
Global Inclusivity in Coaching
The coaching program was designed to be inclusive, covering a broad spectrum of linguistic and cultural needs, with services offered in 12 languages across six continents. This inclusivity ensured that the company’s large global workforce had access to the necessary tools and support to thrive in their roles, regardless of geographical or cultural differences.
Institutional Partnerships for Enhanced Learning
AceUp’s partnership with the Harvard Institute of Coaching ensured that leaders received cutting-edge coaching based on the latest research and best practices in the field. This affiliation not only boosted the credibility of the coaching but also ensured it was scientifically validated and tailored for maximum impact.
“Coaching has helped me foster a coach approach to my leadership, helping us get more win-win solutions.””
– Coachee at Fortune 100 Company
The program we developed included a thorough needs analysis, identifying key areas for development across various teams and leadership levels. This was followed by:
1:1 and Group Coaching
Delivered in 12 languages across 6 continents, focusing on effective communication and inclusive leadership.
Behavioral Analytics
Real-time data-backed insights were used to align talent strategy with the company’s business goals.
Cultural Integration
Efforts to integrate coaching outcomes with the company’s operational processes and performance management systems.
“Coaching has increased my awareness around how I need to pay attention to what could be another person’s viewpoint for increased collaboration.”
– Coachee at Fortune 100 Company
The Data
High Coaching Engagement
Achieved 90% average utilization in 1:1 coaching sessions and an exceptional 99% in group coaching, surpassing all the AceUp benchmarks.
Leadership Development
Recorded a 12% increase in time management and productivity, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted leadership training.
Emotional Intelligence
Growth in emotional intelligence, with a notable increase of up to 70% in their behavioral scores, enhancing interpersonal relations and decision-making.
Change Management
Advanced capabilities in facilitating effective change management, evidenced by an increase in their baseline up to 77% in just 90 days, reflecting stronger adaptability and resilience in leadership roles.
Team Coaching Impact on the Factory Floor
Team coaching led to a 25% improvement in safety numbers, transforming team dynamics and improving leader-to-team communication. The program also supported new leader assimilation and team alignment.
Beyond the Data
Inclusive Leadership
Progress in building and leading inclusive teams, with measurable improvement in understanding and managing diverse workforces.
Cultural and Communication Advances
The initiative broke down cultural barriers and helped create a more collaborative global workforce, which was crucial in navigating complex change management scenarios and enhancing conflict resolution strategies.
Sustainable Development
The consistent improvements in emotional intelligence and leadership behaviors have paved the way for a sustainable model of growth and development within the company.
“Practical examples on different approaches to challenges presented through coaching has helped me grow in how I manage conflicts.”
– Coachee at Fortune 100 Company
Overall impact
Through strategic collaboration with AceUp, the company has not only enhanced its leadership capabilities but has also developed a more agile and responsive organizational culture. This transformation has prepared the company to face future challenges with a stronger, more resilient team and leadership, ensuring their continued success in a competitive global marketplace.