Client need
After a period of rapid revenue expansion, a global leader in children’s toys and entertainment set its sights on an even bolder growth trajectory.
But the landscape was shifting. Rising volatility meant consumer trends were evolving faster than ever. New competitors—from traditional toy companies to tech-driven entertainment platforms—were redefining the market. In this faster, more complex environment, leadership approaches built for scale and efficiency were no longer enough on their own. Leaders would need to add new skills to their arsenals: adapting quickly, collaborating across divisions, and innovating while protecting the brand trust and cultural “secret sauce” that had fueled the company’s rise.
The executive team recognized the moment: future success depended on evolving leadership mindsets and capabilities to meet a new kind of challenge.
To help drive this shift, the company turned to BTS to co-create a leadership program that would inspire and enable leaders to embrace a growth mindset, adopt new behaviors, and empower their teams—all while preserving the strengths that made them a global leader.
Solution
To build the leadership capabilities needed for the future, BTS partnered closely with the client to understand the organization's evolving needs. Through in-depth interviews with leaders across the business, the teams uncovered a nuanced landscape:
- Some long-tenured leaders were deeply rooted in traditional ways of working, making it harder to shift long-established habits.
- Many newer leaders were energized by the opportunity for change and eager to accelerate new ways of collaborating and innovating.
- Across the organization, there was growing recognition that future success would require building on the company’s strengths while adding new leadership skills—particularly around adaptability, cross-division collaboration, and innovation.
Working together, BTS and the client co-created a two-day, in-person leadership summit that blended experiential learning, team activities, and self-reflection. The experience helped leaders expand their ability to:
- Lead with an enterprise-wide mindset
- Influence across organizational boundaries
- Empower others and avoid behaviors that unintentionally stifle growth
- Foster a culture of open feedback and ownership
- Model exceptional leadership in high-stakes moments
- Make decisions that balance shareholder, customer, and employee needs
- Collaborate across divisions to drive innovation
Central to the summit was a session titled “Embrace, Let Go, Preserve,” which guided leaders through a reflection on the company’s strengths, pinpointed behaviors hindering progress, and highlighted key shifts required for future success. Through this exercise, the group developed an “Embrace, Let Go, Preserve” master list—and a practical implementation plan to integrate the best of their traditional culture with modern, growth-oriented practices.
The summit also included a custom simulation, where leaders—working in diverse teams—competed by navigating complex, real-world scenarios and deciding on the best course of action. This gamified experience tested and strengthened their leadership capabilities. BTS facilitators provided real-time feedback, underscoring the key leadership behaviors needed for impact in critical moments.
Participants also explored the concepts from Liz Wiseman’s Multipliers, actively practicing behaviors that amplify individual and team potential. They developed personal action plans to integrate these behaviors into their roles and were paired with peer partners to help drive accountability and sustain momentum.
Results
The program achieved significant and far-reaching impact, with 95% of VPs and above, and 88% of Directors and Senior Directors completing the program. In post-program assessments, participants reflected on how the training had influenced their leadership style:
- 99% reported changing the way they lead.
- 73% said they had implemented all or most of their leadership action plans.
- 70% were actively sharing what they had learned with their teams.
In addition, improved employee engagement scores demonstrated that the shifts in leadership mindsets and behaviors were cascading through the organization. Employee feedback further underscored this impact:
- 92% agreed that “My manager treats people with respect.”
- 88% agreed that “My manager cares about me as a person.”
- 85% agreed that “My manager models our values.”
The success of this program has inspired the company to expand its reach, implementing a similar initiative for mid-level leaders and introducing an advanced offering to deepen the leadership capabilities of its VPs and Directors. This strategic investment in leadership development is not only positioning the company to navigate a rapidly changing market, but also ensuring it remains agile, responsive, and resilient. By strengthening leadership at all levels and building a robust pipeline of future-ready leaders, the organization is establishing the bench strength and foundational capabilities needed for sustained success in an ever-evolving business landscape.
