What happens when organisations invest in developing leaders, not just managers? The results can go beyond stronger leadership teams. They can transform the way people work, grow, and stay.
In this episode of the Limitless Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Matt Madden, Head of Data Centre Solutions at CBRE for APAC, to explore the impact of leadership development and what it takes to build a stronger, more connected workforce.
Since 2023, we’ve been working closely with Matt and the CBRE team, co-designing and delivering leadership development programs across frontline, AMT, and SMT levels. One of the key challenges they wanted to address was an employee turnover rate of over 34% among first-year employees across the region.
Two years later, that figure had dropped to 17%.
Together, we unpack what contributed to this shift, from helping managers become better leaders to building trust, strengthening connections, and creating a stronger leadership pipeline. Matt also shares his personal takeaways from participating in the program, including the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and making time to invest in your own leadership.
We explore why people often leave their managers rather than the organisation, how leadership development can create opportunities for growth and succession, and why understanding the problem you’re trying to solve is the first step towards meaningful change.
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Key Takeaways:
- People join organisations but leave their managers. Matt shares how CBRE’s first-year employee turnover was sitting at over 34%, highlighting the need to develop frontline managers into leaders who provide direction, care, and support.
- Leadership development creates measurable impact. Within two years, CBRE reduced its employee turnover rate from over 34% to 17%, demonstrating the tangible impact of investing in people and leadership.
- Self-awareness is at the heart of leadership. Matt’s biggest personal takeaway was understanding who he is and recognising the impact and impression he leaves on others.
- Trust builds stronger leadership teams. Creating opportunities for leaders to connect, share challenges, and understand one another helps build trust and a stronger sense of teamwork.
- Show up with authenticity and vulnerability. Strong leadership means taking your team with you, even during challenging times. Matt highlights showing up for others and being comfortable displaying vulnerability as essential leadership qualities.
- Make time for your own leadership growth. With the demands of a growing business, Matt emphasises the importance of blocking time in your diary for development. The problems will always be there, but investing in yourself needs to be a priority.
- Understand the problem before finding the solution. Matt encourages organisations to identify the challenges they need to address before investing in leadership development. Building a strong leadership pipeline creates the capacity for sustainable growth and succession.
Contact Matt Madden:
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Leadership in changing times can be difficult, but you can adopt certain traits to get your team through it. You can also join mentorship programs to gain the skills you need.
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To leading the future,
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