As a trade association whose primary mission is to help integration companies be successful, NSCA must call out the industry on something. Generally speaking, the companies in our industry don’t do a spectacular job of identifying and implementing succession plans.
It’s true that many integration industry companies have extremely competent and dynamic leaders who help their companies (and our industry) evolve and maintain relevance. However, there is too little focus on developing the next generation of company leadership — again, generally speaking.
We believe it’s important for integration company leaders to look within their organizations and recognize the individuals who have the potential to lead. The next step is to support their growth and get them ready to lead. That is precisely why NSCA recently announced the first-ever XBO (Excellence in Business Operations) Experience, whose goal is to address the industry’s ongoing workforce-development challenges.
Dubbed an “un-conference,” the two-day XBO Experience provides a pathway for future integration firm leaders who face opportunities ahead — but who need the right training and skills to succeed. A collaboration between NSCA and Ignite, the XBO Experience will take place from Nov. 12-13 in Atlanta on the Georgia Tech campus. There, rising industry stars can prepare for leadership positions, regardless of their job title.
Attendees will learn what it takes to lead as they listen to discussions and conversations about topics like these:
- What Emotional Intelligence Is and Why All Leaders Need It
- Understanding Communication Styles to Avoid Misinterpretation
- Having Tough Conversations: How to Navigate Workplace Conflicts
- Becoming a Globally Competent Leader to Boost Organizational Culture
- Trust in the Workplace: Authority Can Make or Break It
- Organizational Behaviors: Shaping a Foundation for Future Success
- The Domino Effect: One Small Change to Help Everything Fall into Place
- From Doing to Delegating: How to Lose Control Without Losing Control
- Find Your Why: The What and How of Leadership Development
Courtesy / Emerald
Unique Leadership Challenges
Each of the XBO Experience sessions is derived from NSCA’s Next Generation Academy, a set of integration company leadership education topics developed by seasoned industry leaders with the goal of giving up-and-coming industry leaders an advantage. In addition to receiving training that will prepare them for the leadership track, attendees will also participate in interactive learning that will let them roleplay and experience industry challenges with real-world relevance. The relationships they build through the XBO Experience will help them form new connections so they can continue to exchange ideas and sharpen their leadership skills long after the experience ends.
So, indeed, NSCA is calling out the industry. Step up to your leadership-development challenges. If integration firms have employees who show leadership potential, then they’re the perfect fit for the XBO Experience. If young professionals have recently taken on leadership roles, but they came in without much experience and didn’t receive lots of training for the position, they can build those critical skills by attending the XBO Experience, as well.
Although event attendees may not be managers, directors or leaders today, they have a firm interest in moving, and the ability to move, higher within their company and the commercial integration industry. That is, if they receive the right training and education to back them up.
There is a lot at stake — namely, the relevance of your company and of our dynamic industry. Consider the steps you’re taking to develop your next-generation leadership. Let us know if we can help.
Tom LeBlanc is executive director at NSCA. To learn about becoming an NSCA member, visit NSCA.org.
