Cranfield Female FTSE Board Report 2016

Case Studies

The Female FTSE Board Report 2016

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT GSK’s Accelerating Difference leadership development initiative launched three years ago is a long-term initiative which is showing real results. The 18-month programme supports the development of high performing mid-to-senior level female leaders to help them advance their careers and take on more senior roles. To date, 236 female leaders have completed or are currently receiving individual and group coaching sessions. GSK has also started ‘dialogue’ sessions, where equal numbers of women and men come together in small groups to discuss the assumptions, practices and norms of the organization that may help or hinder women’s progression into senior leadership roles. The attendees are sponsors or managers of the women being coached. All line managers and sponsors are mandated by GSK to attend a dialogue session. Accelerating Difference is designed to support both the personal development of an individual and the environment in which they operate, hence the involvement of the line manager is key as it encourages them to think differently and be more open to difference. This holistic approach means that the individual and the organization are working together to ensure talented employees are encouraged to not only put themselves forward for more senior roles, but also supporting them to ensure they stand the best chance possible of being successful through the assessment process. Current numbers participating in the initiative are almost double the intake of the previous year and nearly 60% of participants in 2013 and 2014 have achieved a promotion or taken on more responsibility in their role. The careers of female leaders who have participated in the programme will be tracked for five years and reported to CET every nine months to monitor the success of the initiative over time and sustain a conscious effort on developing a diverse talent pipeline.