A major East Coast city hospital was facing increasing difficulties in managing and leading within today's turbulent world of healthcare. The executive management team, with the facilitation and guidance of their OD leader, recognized the increasing need for leadership development initiative. No internally focused cross-functional leadership training had been undertaken in over 5 years and all parties were extremely skeptical. The hospital's COO and Director of OD turned to Work Systems Affiliates for help.

Following the Systemic Leadership Development Process, we worked with the Director of OD, the program's executive sponsor, the COO, and a sample of potential participants to craft a customized four-module Leadership Development Program.

Each 2-Day module was focused on a systemic component of leadership. Utilizing Work Systems Affiliates' Systemic Leadership Development Curriculum we were able to craft a cost-effective, customized program. With systemic leadership and problem-solving a unifying theme, the program focused on Self-Management, Managing and Leading Others (individuals and teams), Managing and Leading the Business (including cross-functionally), and Managing and Leading to Enhance Performance (including performance coaching).

The success and usefulness of the pilot program, as documented by participants and their sponsors, highlights the productive influence and results-oriented impact of a focused leadership development initiative. We are currently enhancing and expanding the Systemic Leadership Development Program based on the feedback from the participants.