The Urgency of Leadership Development:
5 Reasons Why It Should Be Your Priority
(especially right now)
Leadership development is more than a benefit in today’s workplace—it’s a strategic advantage. When organizations invest in their leaders, they foster innovation, build stronger teams, and create environments where employees thrive. According to a LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, companies prioritizing employee development see a 25% boost in productivity, and 94% of employees are likelier to stay longer. Organizations cultivate engaged teams, improve decision-making, and position themselves for long-term success by providing leaders with the right tools and strategies. For individuals, bolstering your skills can set you apart from competition, leading to career advancement. In a recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology, those who invest in leadership development experience a 28% increase in leadership behaviors. This will definitely catch the attention of employers. Leadership development training can also provide new perspectives and skills if you find yourself pivoting to another job or career.
Below are five reasons why talent development for individuals and organizations is essential and why the right training matters:
#1: Leadership Development Training Helps You Achieve Your Goals
Leadership isn’t just a title or tenure—it’s a lifelong journey of growth and refinement. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, continuous learning is essential to staying competitive, engaged, and effective. Leadership Montgomery is committed to helping individuals and organizations develop the skills to navigate today’s challenges. We offer four targeted leadership trainings that provide practical strategies to enhance collaboration, build influence, manage change, and create high-performing teams. 
These trainings are not just theoretical, but designed to be interactive and immediately applicable—ensuring that participants leave with tools they can use immediately to achieve their goals. Whether you want to strengthen your leadership presence, improve your team’s dynamics, or drive organizational success, our programs provide the guidance and support to lead confidently and positively.
#2: Leadership Development Training Fosters Collaboration
Today’s workforce is more diverse than ever, encompassing a variety of backgrounds, work styles, and communication preferences. Effective leaders are crucial in shaping and reinforcing a positive organizational culture. Research shows highly collaborative teams are five times more likely to be high-performing. While diversity drives innovation, lacking proper leadership training can lead to miscommunication and workplace tension. Leaders can foster inclusive and cooperative team environments by focusing on collaboration skills. This approach includes strategies for navigating differences, resolving conflicts, and enhancing communication. LM’s Enhancing Workplace Collaboration training provides skills can help you:
- Improve team cohesion and productivity.
- Enhance your ability to manage diverse perspectives.
- Strengthen decision-making through better collaboration.
#3: Leadership Development Training is a Guide to Negotiation and Influence
Authentic leadership isn’t about positional power—it’s about influence. The ability to gain buy-in, communicate effectively, and inspire action separates great leaders from average managers. A study found that 71% of executives believe that influencing others is a key leadership skill, yet only 28% of employees say their leaders do this effectively. By refining skills to persuade, negotiate and build relationships, well-equipped leaders can actively shape workplace culture and position themselves as trusted voices in their organizations. Strengthen your ability to confidently advocate for your ideas and initiatives through leadership development training like Strategic Influence in Leadership. It will also help you improve your decision-making skills!
#4: Leadership Development Training is a Compass for Navigating Uncertainty.
Today’s leaders face unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Change is inevitable—but resistance to it doesn’t have to be. Studies show that 70% of change initiatives fail due to poor management and employee resistance. Organizations risk losing productivity, disengaged employees, and failed transitions without the right tools. Leadership training, like Successful Change Management training, equips leaders with the tools to make confident decisions, and provides leaders with the roadmap to manage transitions smoothly, even in ambiguous situations. This type of training can help you:
- Gain confidence in managing organizational change.
- Reduce resistance and keep teams engaged during transitions.
- Learn how to create change initiatives that drive real impact.
#5: Leadership Development Training Prevents a Toxic Work Culture (which leads to organizational success!)
Great teams don’t happen by accident—they are built with intention. Toxic work environments cost U.S. businesses over $223 billion in turnover over five years, making effective team leadership crucial. Employees who feel valued, respected, and supported are more engaged, productive, and innovative. Devoting time to focusing on collaboration skills, like LM’s Leading a Healthy and Effective Teams, provides leaders with frameworks to cultivate a positive, high-performing team culture. It can help you to:
- Build a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent.
- Foster a team environment based on trust, respect, and accountability.
- Learn strategies to address and prevent toxic behaviors.
Bottom Line: The ROI of Leadership Training is a Smart Investment
Leadership development is not just a way to enhance professional skills; it is a competitive advantage. Companies that invest in leadership training experience measurable improvements in employee engagement, retention, and overall performance. Strong leadership enables organizations to bring their strategies to life, navigate disruptions, and foster a culture where employees can thrive. For individuals, leadership training can lead to career advancement, increased job satisfaction, and enhanced credibility within their organization. Whether you are managing teams, implementing change, or driving business results, these skills are essential for long-term success and personal fulfillment.
At Leadership Montgomery, we provide the tools, insights, and support needed to help leaders grow, inspire, and create lasting value for their organizations and communities. Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Join us for one (or all) of our transformative trainings and invest in your future today. You can start with the FREE Leadership Strategies for a Thriving Workplace webinar. The first one will be April 14 with more offerings between now and June.
Yesenia E. Regalado is the director of training and community impact at LM. She has extensive experience in professional development and equity training. She can be reached at yesenia.regalado@leadermont.org.