“Great advice and activities and really made me think about what it means to lead at BJSS and why this is so different to other companies - e.g. not telling people what to do (or being told how to lead) but more working towards our common goals as a business and living by our company values.”

Learner, BJSS

Delivering a clear and impactful leadership program

BJSS's leadership development landscape presented three main challenges that needed to be tackled to ensure the success of any new initiative:

• Disjointed Learning: Leaders were attending random external courses that didn’t connect, leaving gaps in their development.\
• Low Participation: With busy schedules and little perceived value, leaders were often skipping out on training sessions.
• No Clear Metrics: The company lacked solid data to prove whether the training was actually making a difference.

Revamping the strategy  

To overcome these obstacles, BJSS needed to develop a leadership program that was both structured and flexible, allowing for personalised learning paths while ensuring consistent engagement and measurable outcomes. The solution had to address the core issues of continuity, relevance, and effectiveness.

There was a clear need for a leadership program focused on being:  

• Continual: Provide a seamless and connected learning journey that builds progressively on leadership skills.
• Engaging: Ensure high participation rates by offering relevant, accessible, and valuable content that resonates with leaders.
• Measurable: Implement clear metrics to track the effectiveness of the training and its contribution to business objectives.
• Flexible: Allow for personalised learning paths that cater to the specific needs and interests of each leader.
• Aligned with Business Goals: Ensure the program supports the strategic objectives of BJSS and enhances leadership performance in alignment with these goals.

In November 2023, BJSS introduced the Leadership Pathways program via Learn Amp. A transformative initiative designed to provide a cohesive and engaging leadership development experience. This program was built around three core pillars: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading at BJSS, each focusing on different aspects of leadership.

Key Features of the Leadership Pathways Program:

• Customised Learning Tracks: Through the Learn Amp platform, leaders could choose their own sessions, allowing them to tailor their learning experience to their specific needs and interests. This self-selection approach ensured that the content was relevant to each participant, enhancing their engagement and commitment to the program.
• Community Building: The program included a frontline leadership community that provided a platform for leaders to connect, share experiences, and support one another throughout their development journey. This community aspect was critical in fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging ongoing learning.
• Iterative Improvements: After the initial 9-month program launch, BJSS listened to participant feedback and restructured the program into a more condensed 3-month format. This change has the goal of addressing logistical challenges, such as scheduling conflicts, and making it easier to track and ensure 100% completion.

The program was structured to provide leaders with the tools and knowledge they needed to excel in their roles, while also allowing for continuous improvement based on real-time feedback. The focus was on creating a flexible yet comprehensive learning journey that aligned with BJSS’s broader business goals.

“This was one of the most interesting and useful sessions I've been to! Learned a lot about myself and identified lots of strengths too. Very much looking forward to more sessions!."

Leadership course attendee

Learner, BJSS

A unique implementation delivering ROI

The introduction of the Leadership Pathways program at BJSS has led to substantial improvements across several key areas:

High Engagement and Satisfaction:

• Over 205 leaders enrolled in the program.
• NPS (how likely they are to recommend the program to a colleague) grew from 18 to 51 considered 'Excellent'
• Average rating of 8.7 out of 10 for the Leading Self component.
• Average rating of 8.8 out of 10 for Leading Others module
• Engagement levels far exceeded previous initiatives.

Successful Program Iteration:

• Transitioned from a 9-month to a 3-month program.
• Maintained strong participation with a more focused approach.
• Iteration driven by participant feedback, showing commitment to continuous improvement.

Anecdotal Learnings:

• Leaders reported feeling more aligned with the business as they focused on shared values and impact
• Helped leaders to reflect on their own leadership styles
• Shared leadership lessons amongst peers