Developing leadership capacity - a strategy for sustainability and growth

Chemtrade is an income trust fund that provides industrial chemicals and services in North America and around the world. Chemtrade has grown fivefold within 10 years, challenging employees to cope with this rate of growth, while being succession ready. The Senior Leadership Team has established the development of leadership capacity as a key strategy for long-term sustainability and growth. Through the use of action research and the deployment of an engagement survey and interviews, this inquiry identified both positive and negative factors to creating a leadership development system. Inquiry questions related to determining satisfaction with and use of the existing leadership development approaches. Findings confirmed a widespread desire to develop employees, but also uncovered opportunities with approaches, time and understanding. Recommendations suggested the development of a learning culture and acquisition of the capability to design and implement an integrated, leadership development system while leveraging the success of Chemtrade University.