Maximise Your Leadership Potential

Not all experiences are equal in terms of contributing to leadership learning and growth.

The 70-20-10 Rule

It is essential to identify which experiences are most likely to provide the necessary learning for leadership development. The 70-20-10 Rule is a time-tested framework for leadership development that suggests that leaders learn and grow from three types of experiences in a ratio of 70%, 20%, and 10%. This ratio includes 70% challenging experiences and assignments, 20% developmental relationships, and 10% coursework and training. The underlying assumption of this rule is that leaders are made, not born, and can learn through experience.

Workplaces are missing out on key develpmental opportunities. Work and learning should be aligned with and shaped by the business strategy and a talent strategy including processes and roles. Experience-driven development and stretch assignments on-the-job also help retain and attract talent.

Sources of Leadership Learning

Leadership learning studies in the US, India, China, and Singapore found five universally important sources of leadership learning: bosses and superiors, turnarounds, increases in job scope, horizontal moves, and new initiatives. In addition, each country draws from two unique primary sources of leadership. For example, in China, personal experiences and mistakes are a significant source of leadership learning, while in India, personal experiences and crossing cultures are the primary sources.

While challenging assignments are the primary source of key learning experiences in managerial careers, coursework and training are seen as contributing just 10% to a leader's development. However, well-designed coursework and leadership training programs can have an amplifier effect, clarifying, supporting, and boosting the other 90% of learning.

Top Leadership Lessons

Cross-cultural differences in leadership learning were also noted in the research. The researchers found important similarities and differences in the way leadership is learned from experiences in the four countries studied. However, three leadership lessons were ranked as universally important in all four countries: managing direct reports, self-awareness, and executing effectively. Leaders need to be constantly involved in new experiences and challenges to adapt and grow, and they should seek out or strengthen relationships with bosses, mentors, and peers that contribute to their growth in leadership.

Summary

In summary, the 70-20-10 Rule provides a framework for leadership development that emphasizes the importance of challenging experiences, developmental relationships, and formal coursework. In particular, by emphasizing the role of challenging assignments in attracting, developing, and retaining talent and surrounding them with developmental relationships and formal learning opportunities, organizations can put experience at the center of talent management and support leaders' ongoing growth and development. While this framework can be applied universally, it is important to consider cross-cultural differences in leadership learning and identify which experiences are most likely to provide the necessary learning for leadership development in specific contexts.