Shaping frontline leadership in the Biomedical field

Client need  

A global medical-device company with over 53,000 employees, recognized the need to build its talent pipeline and create future-ready capabilities by preparing senior managers for advanced leadership roles. Many senior managers demonstrated strong technical skills, but lacked essential skills in self-awareness, relationship-building, enterprise thinking, and business & financial acumen. Additionally, the siloed structure of the organization limited knowledge sharing across departments, restricting growth and talent mobility. 

To drive their strategy forward—launching innovative devices that transform patient care, advancing corporate responsibility commitments, and achieving ambitious revenue targets—the organization needed greater talent mobility, stronger cross-functional collaboration and new capabilities.  

A redesigned program

The company partnered with BTS to redesign its existing leadership program for high-potential managers. This new initiative, informed by insights from HR leaders, stakeholders, and past program participants, focused on building leadership capabilities aligned with future business needs. 

The program’s five core areas included: 

1. Increased self-awareness to identify leadership strengths and opportunities for improvement 
2. A focus on coaching and delegation skills to develop team growth and performance 
3. Strategic and enterprise thinking to make informed, big-picture decisions 
4. Collaborative leadership to build strong cross-functional relationships 
5. Financial and business acumen to connect to organizational outcomes and value creation  

Launched in 2021, the eight-month program included two primary modules: leadership immersion and business immersion. These modules integrated 1:1 coaching and peer collaboration, helping participants to connect program learnings with real-world applications. 

Solution 

Participants engaged in two customized simulation experiences. In the leadership simulation participants tackled critical scenarios reflective of pivotal leadership moments they are likely to encounter at the next level challenges. Working with a peer group, they practiced strengthening their leadership presence, influencing others, and leading inclusively. During the business simulation, participants assumed the role of the C-suite while competing against their peers to run the business for three years with a focus on driving profitable growth while managing the nuanced expectations of internal team members & external stakeholders.   

Each program phase targeted specific leadership skills that supported the company’s broader goals: 

• Kick-off and assessment: During the kickoff call, which featured sponsorship from a senior leader, participants were introduced to the program’s goals. Shortly after, participants engage in a 360-feedback assessment to increase their self-awareness and work with a certified professional coach to shape individualized development plans. 
• Leadership simulation: Two half-day virtual sessions allowed participants to practice and define effective leadership behaviors. 
• Business Simulation: Four half-day virtual experience to build enterprise thinking and business acumen 
• Go-do experiments: Participants applied learning on the job, reinforcing key skills in real situations. 
• Executive panel and coaching engagements: Participants learned from leaders across the company, expanding their perspectives and refining their coaching approach. 
• Program conclusion: A celebratory wrap-up session where participants shared insights and reflected on their development journey, building connections across divisions. 

Results

The program accelerated the readiness of high-potential managers for future roles. In a survey of 187 graduates from 2022-2023 cohorts: 

• 94% increased self-awareness of their strengths and development needs 

• 95% enhanced their strategic thinking capabilities 

• 93% reported becoming more inclusive leaders 

• 88% made measurable progress on their development goals 

• 79% improved their coaching and feedback skills 

Participants shared powerful insights. One manager reflected, “The simulations provided me with a new perspective on decision-making. I now understand the importance of cross-functional collaboration and how it influences outcomes across the company.”