What is Vertical Development? Why You Need It

We have observed a troubling trend over the last decade (and particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic): the accelerating rate of complexity that organizations are facing has outpaced the development of organizations’ leaders. This is observed by research that indicates that (1) 71% of organizations do not feel their leaders are able to lead their organization into the future, and (2) 75% of organizations say their leadership development programs are not very effective. The truth is that most leadership development programs focus on helping their leaders “tool up” (i.e., horizontal development), but this is only incrementally helpful. Organizations need to help their leaders “level up” (i.e., vertical development). In this session, Ryan Gottfredson will explain what vertical development is and why you need it.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain clarity on what vertical development is.
• Realize that in order for leaders to improve in their ability to navigate change, pressure, uncertainty, and complexity, they need vertical development.
• Gain an understanding of how vertical development is different from and far superior to horizontal development.
• Be able to identify the three different vertical development levels.
• Gain direction on how to help your leaders vertically develop to more effectively guide your organization and its employees through the turbulent conditions they are facing.