Building and scaling leadership development at different levels with Ash Panjwani from Procore

In a recent episode of the Talent Development Think Tank, I had an insightful conversation with Ash Panjwani, the Head of Talent Development at Procore, on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.

Ash shared her innovative approach to leadership and career development, emphasizing strategic alignment and inclusivity. Here are some actionable steps to implement similar strategies within your own organization.

Define Leadership Expectations

At Procore, leadership development begins with clearly defining expectations. Start by engaging senior leaders to understand what leadership should embody within your company. This involves setting clear principles that guide actions and decisions, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals.

Drive Accountability with Leadership Principles

Ash's approach focuses on driving accountability through leadership expectations. Develop a framework that consistently measures leadership effectiveness, such as engagement surveys and manager index assessments. Integrate these principles into hiring practices and performance evaluations to monitor alignment with your organizational goals.

Invest in Coaching and Development Programs

Procore offers tailored coaching and development paths for varying management levels. For frontline managers, consider implementing workshops that focus on specific skills, like coaching and feedback, in a collaborative setting. More senior roles may benefit from one-on-one coaching to address strategic challenges, an approach that has proven effective at Procore for director and VP levels.

Foster Career Development Conversations

Encourage open communication about career aspirations between employees and managers. Panjwani stresses the importance of these discussions to guide career path decisions. Create structured opportunities for employees to explore and shadow different roles, thus enhancing talent mobility and personal growth across your organization.

Integrate DEI into Leadership and Career Development

Ash advocates for making DEI practices a core aspect of all learning programs. Ensure that your leadership development initiatives are inclusive, providing a safe, equitable environment for all employees. This can be achieved by embedding DEI principles into the very fabric of your talent development strategies, rather than treating them as separate components.

Cultivate a Culture of Continuous Learning

Learning at Procore is a continuous journey, not a one-time event. Encourage an environment where employees can frequently revisit and update their skills. Utilize technology, such as AI tools, to provide immediate coaching support and facilitate ongoing development opportunities that are adaptable to different learning styles.

Prioritize Effective Communication

Regular, transparent communication is key to the success of developmental programs. Panjwani highlights the need to over-communicate with all stakeholders, from HR partners to business leaders. This transparency ensures alignment and demonstrates the strategic value of learning initiatives to the broader organization.

By following these steps, inspired by Ash Panjwani's impactful strategies at Procore, organizations can build a robust framework for leadership and career development. This approach promises not only to enhance organizational performance but also to create a thriving, inclusive workplace culture.

Tune in to the full episode on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast to dive deeper into these strategies and learn more from the experience of Ash Panjwani.