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29.05.2023, Annamari Typpö
When your company grows at scale, your leadership strategy will need to grow with it
Navigating the challenges of growth can be likened to dealing with growing pains, and it's the role of strong leadership to guide the way. As companies expand into new markets, it's essential to have leaders who can inspire and motivate the team to achieve their goals.
The success code of growth companies puts emphasis on the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and culture and top leaders as promoters of growth. To ensure successful growth, leaders must have both the vision and courage to execute the strategy. They must also create a functioning team that is aligned with the company's goals, which is even more critical than having a good business idea.
In a growing company, dynamics are created through strong growth-oriented business models and goal settings. But it's the leadership that sets the tone, fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and creates an environment that encourages exploring new opportunities and embracing calculated decisions. Ultimately, the presence of strong leadership is a prerequisite for increasing the overall value of a company.
What are your organization’s development needs?
Book a consultation to discuss what kind of solutions we can offer and co-create together for your organization.
Growth Phases and the Unique Leadership Challenges
Based on the ”Greiner Curve” of Growth
We support our clients in creating value in their organization and businesses through our impactful programs, which help them to
Growth through creativity: In this phase, the company is focused on developing new products and services to achieve growth. Leadership challenges may include managing a creative workforce, nurturing innovation, and balancing short-term and long-term goals.
Growth through direction: In this phase, the company is focused on expanding its customer base and building a stronger market position. Leadership challenges may include developing a clear vision and strategy, managing rapid growth, and implementing effective communication and feedback processes.
Growth through delegation: In this phase, the company is focused on delegating tasks and responsibilities to middle managers and empowering them to make decisions. Leadership challenges may include developing a strong middle management team, establishing clear decision-making processes, and maintaining accountability and control.
Growth through coordination: In this phase, the company is focused on improving coordination and collaboration across different departments and functions. Leadership challenges may include breaking down silos, promoting cross-functional communication, and implementing effective project management and governance processes.
Growth through collaboration: In this phase, the company is focused on forming strategic partnerships and alliances to achieve growth. Leadership challenges may include identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships, managing complex relationships, and maintaining a strong sense of organizational identity.
Growth through internationalization: In this phase, the company is focused on expanding its international presence and adapting to new markets and cultures. Leadership challenges may include developing a global mindset, managing cultural differences, and navigating complex regulatory environments.
Our Co-creation Process
Design
We start by developing an in-depth holistic understanding of our client’s development needs, business challenges, and strategic objectives, as well as current and aspired competencies. We customize and co-design with our clients to develop impactful programs building on the clients’ strengths and Aalto EE’s expertise.
The key steps generally include
- developing a shared vision of the desired outcome and impact and how it will be measured,
- detailed needs finding,
- collaborative ideation and iteration,
- validation of the program concept and methods, and
- finalization and approval of the program.
Delivery
We guarantee that program delivery will be impactful and inspirational. We deliver by selecting the best experts from our international faculty network and utilizing the appropriate learning methods. The Aalto EE Program Director has a key role in ensuring consistency and a red thread throughout the program.
Examples of learning methods:
- Impactful face-to-face experience
- Efficient and flexible online modules
- Business project work as an experiential learning platform
- Business coaching and/or mentoring
- Research-based innovative methods and simulations (e.g. Aalto Strategy War Game)
Impact
We evaluate the impact together with our clients according to the jointly agreed measures. We use both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Examples of impact measures:
- Leadership assessments, e.g. 360
- Agreed business KPIs, e.g. customer satisfaction (NPS)
- Other KPIs, e.g. a Leadership Index as part of an employee engagement measurement
- Value created by business projects
- Individual career progression
- Long-term impact survey for program participants
- Qualitative interviews
Contact Us
Book a consultation to discuss how we can help to find the best solution for your organization.
