The Nuts and Bolts

How is follow-up done, and what benefits can it bring? There are many methods of conducting follow-ups to leadership development programs, but here are three of the most prevalent:

• Conducting checklist surveys to determine whether program alumni are continuing to work on their goals
• Administering 360-degree assessment-for-development instruments to measure behavioral change
• Analyzing company data to determine the effects of an individual's developmental experience on his or her department and the organization

As for the benefits, they often depend on the form that the follow-up takes but can include the following:

• Motivating the program participant to stay focused on and to review his development goals
• Extending and adding to the participant's developmental process through feedback from others
• Helping superiors of the program participant understand what she needs to continue her development
• Identifying specific types of impact resulting from a leadership development program and, in turn, the effectiveness and value of the program itself

We'll look more closely at each of these benefits and what they mean to individuals and organizations.