What’s Hot in Leadership Training for 2024

This week I was prompted to look at the current landscape of leadership development for a client I am currently collaborating with on an exciting project.  I wanted to summarise in my mind and outline for our client the clear trends we see daily in leadership development training. If you are a professional pursuing a leadership role or are responsible for learning and development in your organisation, the following conclusions might interest you. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter courses and long-drawn-out seminars. Organisations and leaders today are prioritising dynamic, personalised, and future-focused approaches to learning and development. Here are my insights into what’s trending (and what’s fading) in leadership training this year from my experience.

Leaders and aspiring leaders are choosing Personalized Learning Pathways which are tailored to the specific needs of an individual leader, and are becoming the norm. Business leaders want their leadership development programs that adapt to each person’s goals, learning style, and career path. This ensures a more relevant and impactful experience for every employee and as such outlaws the idea of a ‘one size fits all’ solution.

Emotional intelligence continues to be a hot commodity in leadership trainingwhere astute leaders arechoosing Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Over IQ. In a world where remote work, hybrid teams, and global collaboration are the norm, leaders must excel at understanding and managing their own emotions as well as empathising with others. As an EQI coach and assessor, my work teaches people that training should focus on emotional resilience, mastering difficult conversations, and fostering a psychologically safe environment. In 2024, EQ is typically viewed as a key factor for effective leadership.

The value of learning from peers and mentors has gained considerable momentum in the past few years mainly due to companies encouraging emerging leaders to learn from their seasoned employees. These learning opportunities help foster strong workplace relationships and provide real-world, immediately applicable knowledge.

2024 could be described as the year of the Agile Leader; with constant disruptions whether through technological advancements, economic shifts, or unforeseen crises leaders need to be flexible and learn to adapt quickly. Leadership development is now centred around teaching leaders how to thrive in uncertainty, make swift decisions, and pivot effectively when faced with challenges. Resilience and adaptability are becoming the hallmark traits of successful leadership.

As diversity and inclusion become top priorities, leaders must understand how to create environments where everyone can thrive at work. Inclusive leadership focuses on bias recognition, building diverse teams, and fostering cultures of belonging. In 2024, inclusive leadership is no longer just about avoiding discrimination; it’s about embracing diversity as a driver for innovation and growth for all businesses from SMEs to Multinationals.

Finally, a point that is not directly related to the type of training we offer but has a place on this list; is Digital and Technological Fluency.  With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data-driven decision-making leaders need to be digitally savvy. Leadership training programs should prioritize developing leaders who are comfortable navigating digital transformation, leveraging technology for business growth, and guiding teams through the ethical challenges that come with new tech. Leaders are expected not only to understand digital tools but also to champion their responsible implementation. Although we don’t deliver technical training, we do find ourselves collaborating on projects that include both soft skills and technical/digital skills training. A perfect example of this is our Critical Thinking training which we have delivered to companies in tandem with the launch of a new product or to align creative thinking with the introduction of mandatory technical compliance.  

In terms of ‘What’s Not in Leadership Training for 2024’ I will make this section brief as the list in itself is self-explanatory. 

It won’t come as a surprise to anyone to learn that the traditional classroom model, where leaders sit through hours of lectures has fallen out of favour since the pandemic when training providers across the world needed to pivot to online & virtual learning. In addition to this, leaders in 2024 are seeking hands-on, interactive, and experiential training. Simulations, case studies, and role-playing scenarios are replacing passive listening. Engaging leaders in active problem-solving ensures they are better prepared for real-world challenges.

Training programs that emphasise rigid, command and control, top-down leadership approaches have become outdated. Instead, leaders are being trained to cultivate trust, delegate effectively, and lead with empathy.

It’s not just about money or profit! Modern leadership development places a strong emphasis on holistic success, which includes employee well-being, sustainability, customer satisfaction, and long-term value creation. The shift reflects a growing awareness that businesses thrive when everyone benefits, not just shareholders.

Don’t Neglect the Soft Skills; for many years, hard skills like technical proficiency or strategic planning were prioritised in leadership development. In 2024, ignoring soft skills is a sure path to failure. Leaders who lack communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills struggle in today’s collaborative, cross-functional environments.

Don’t Ignore Mental Health & Wellbeing; the stigma around mental health in the workplace is fading, and leadership development initiatives that fail to address these aspects are missing the mark. In 2024, leadership development increasingly incorporates wellness practices, mindfulness, stress management, and mental health awareness, helping leaders maintain their well-being while supporting their teams.

Leadership Training into the Future should represent a world that is more interconnected, unpredictable, and diverse than ever before. The hottest trends focus on agility, emotional intelligence, inclusivity, and personalised development pathways. As a consequence, and in response to the needs of the modern workforce, outdated approaches, such as top-down leadership models and rigid frameworks, are being phased out.

Learning-focused organisations recognise the value of forward-thinking leadership, they are increasingly investing in development initiatives that not only shape effective leaders today but also prepare them to lead through the challenges and opportunities they will face going forward. The future of leadership is about empowering people to lead with empathy, resilience, and adaptability; all qualities that are more essential than ever in a knowledge economy

Janet Tumulty

11th October 2024