As a business professional, you know that to improve the performance of an engineering or manufacturing department, you do not begin by evaluating the performance of each individual employee. Rather, you articulate the goals of the department in terms of its outputs of product and service. You review the established performance metrics; you evaluate and define the work processes; and you ensure that individual associates comply with these processes. So, why not employ this successful approach to leadership development?

Here is why the Toolbox approach has been so well received and why it has had such a powerful organizational impact.

• Leadership is taught as a critical organizational function – not a solo act.
  The real benefits of leadership occur when all members of the management team work together to achieve organizational success. The Leader's Toolbox^® approach focuses on meeting the needs of the organization, not the needs of individual leaders. The central task is to determine how everyone might work more effectively together to reach higher levels of organization success.
  
  
• Create a common language.
  Leaders are more likely to work effectively together when they share a common definition and understanding of their leadership responsibilities. The Leader's Map, a key component of The Leader's Toolbox^®, provides an easily understood, well-accepted language and a process to help leaders within an organization mutually identify their responsibilities.
  
  
• Use proven leadership tools.
  Tools help leaders perceive the world and interact with others more effectively. Once leaders integrate these tools into their leadership practice, it becomes easier to shape their organizations. The Leader's Toolbox^® incorporates proven leadership tools from the most respected organizational thinkers. These practical tools engage employees, help them establish a stronger more strategic foundation, and create an organization capable of succeeding during the most turbulent times. The broad range of tools facilitates the broad range of leadership work.
  
  
• Create a learning engine.
  Leaders learn best through experience. Most meaningful is the ability to resolve real existing issues that are critical to an organization's success. The Leader's Toolbox^® approach uses real organizational challenges as case examples. It provides powerful leadership tools that help people practice a new way to lead while resolving these organizational challenges.
  
  
• Customized to the needs of the organization.
  The process begins with the formation of an internal design team that helps determine which leadership challenges to address and the tools most applicable to the situation. Leadership surveys are customized to measure critical areas of importance. Train-the-trainer techniques are employed to ensure the long-term transfer of internal leadership skills that will maximize the program's return on investment.
  
  

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