The “Leadership Development Is Dead… Long Live Leadership Development” Episode
From The LDA Podcast: An Exploration of Evidence-Informed Approaches to Learning and Development by Learning Development Accelerator, Inc.
August 4, 2025 · 55 min · Episode 54
About this episode
Clark and Matt discuss the shortcomings of traditional leadership development and propose more effective approaches based on context.
In this episode, Clark and Matt return to the topic of Leadership Development. Is traditional leadership development a worthy endeavor for most organizations? Well, the research, or lack thereof, indicates that at best, it is questionable, and at worst, it may actually undermine or act at cross purposes to what the company strives to attain. Of course, in the end, they propose what they think might work more effectively. It’s about context! Matt and Clark discuss four inherent issues with traditional leadership development, based on Matt’s booklet on the topic, available for free download here: https://members.ldaccelerator.com/c/what-is-lda-press/leadership-development-the-four-issues-that-undermine-traditional-leadership-development-programs-3f451f4a-a52a-4ebe-9561-3d4e32cc23ba The Lacerenza, et. al. meta-analysis is below in the references. Matt makes the case for a definition problem. In other words, we are rarely clear or consistent in our use of the word leadership. Because of this lack of agreement on what the term means, and more importantly, what knowledge, skills, abilities, and values embody effective leadership, it is very difficult to design effective learning. They…
People in this episode
Host: Matt
Topics covered
- Leadership Development
- Traditional Leadership
- Organizational Development
- Learning Design
Keywords
- leadership
- development
- research
- meta-analysis
- learning
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Cynefin, Matt's booklet on leadership development
Books & works: Leadership Development Is Dead… Long Live Leadership Development”
Places: New York, America, Stanford, California
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