Now more than ever, finding the best talent is challenging – and a top priority. What if the best people are already working at your company and you don’t know it? What if you could find them and provide exactly the right training and experiences to prepare them for the next role?

These questions motivated Lear to develop a unique program that combines a strong leadership curriculum with supportive mentorship and the opportunity to network with senior management. Through a merit-based program called “Together We Grow,” participants:

• Set customized, specific two- to three-year development plans, targeting the soft skills and hard skills they need to progress
• Plan their next career moves, aspiring to a series of next-level positions and leadership roles
• Attend training with sessions on foundational mindset, leadership, self-awareness and team effectiveness
• Read relevant books on leadership
• Check in regularly with human resources to track their progress
• Build camaraderie and relationships with other participants through accountability sessions
• Meet with a VP-level sponsor and mentor to receive individual feedback and practice what they have learned
• Network one-on-one with senior executives during monthly luncheons

Participants tell us that discussion sessions with other participants helped them gain and retain knowledge, connect with leaders, and access concrete resources to facilitate growth, both professionally and personally. Perhaps the most inspiring comment was from a young professional who said, “It is an incredible feeling to be surrounded by talented people that care not only about their individual goals but also want to guide you to reach yours.”

Giving high-potential employees the opportunity to meet senior executives has also built new relationships, not only positioning young professionals to move into larger roles but providing leadership with new perspectives. The benefits of nurturing an ecosystem of support, development and proactive career management go both ways.

We are shining a light into every corner of the company to find and develop people for roles where they can really excel. We are identifying people with a collaborative, team-based mindset. We are intentionally helping them develop skills so that they are ready to ascend to leadership roles, bringing diverse perspectives to help us solve complex problems.

Together We Grow is helping us create a company of great leaders.