Executive development: planning for “key experiences”

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents the case for, and several templates for, the planning and monitoring of the key experiences status of a cadre of high‐potential managers seeking to become executive‐ready.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is the result of numerous years of advising executive education corporate clients on the importance of key experiences to complete and complement a future executive's development.

Findings

Offers seven key experiences as examples of what a company might develop for its executive‐oriented, key experiences portfolio.

Practical implications

The field‐inspired tools presented here, are immediately and broadly applicable to those charged with the development of a pipeline of executive‐ready talent.

Originality/value

In a concise and comprehensive manner, readers are provided a framework for conceptualizing, planning, and establishing a key experiences portfolio for its high‐potential executives. It is also shown how such an inventory can be linked to a company's competency model and to an articulated set of personal learning objectives.

Citation

Haskins, M.E. and Shaffer, G.R. (2009), "Executive development: planning for “key experiences”", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 9-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777280910951540