In today’s rapidly changing social impact sector, developing strong executive teams has become a cornerstone for driving meaningful impact. Picture a leadership group working seamlessly together—each member contributing their distinct strengths toward a unified mission. This isn’t just an aspiration; it’s actually attainable.
This can be a reality for organizations that invest in team-based leadership development.
As Bob Searle of Bridgespan shared on my podcast, “leadership development has shifted from focusing solely on individuals to strengthening entire executive teams”. The logic is simple: when the leadership team is aligned and performing at its best, the whole organization thrives. As Bob puts it, when the team is firing on all cylinders, everything else runs more smoothly.
The advantages of team-focused development include shared learning, stronger communication and a clear strategic focus.
We are living in a time of uncertainty and as such, social impact leaders need more than just technical expertise—we need resilience. Other key skills social impact leaders should focus on developing include the ability to prioritize risks, keep strategic focus amid complexity, and care for the well-being of their team. These capabilities are essential to shaping organizations that can adapt, withstand challenges, and pivot in response to new opportunities.
In short, developing executive teams is not just about improving individual leadership today—it’s about preparing teams for the challenges of tomorrow. Organizations that embrace this approach can maximize the collective skills of their team which will in turn serve as a catalyst for positive change.