Researchers from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)® presented several sessions at this year’s annual conference of the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology (SIOP). The conference was held April 3–6, in Denver, Colorado.

SIOP is the premier professional association for the science and practice of Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology, which focuses on the scientific study of human behavior in organizations and in the workplace. This specialty focuses on principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior and applying this knowledge to solving problems leaders experience in the workplace.

CCL researchers presented and lead discussions on several topics at the conference, ranging from wellbeing to coaching and more.

Listed below are the sessions researchers presented along with descriptions for each:

Does Team Virtuality Affect Perceptions of a Leader’s Power and Influence? A Natural Experiment from the COVID Pandemic

CCL Presenters: Dr. Andy Loignon and Dr. Diane Bergeron

This session featured a study that leveraged data from 485 senior leadership teams, collected around the COVID pandemic, to explore how virtual work impacts a leader’s power and influence. By using a network-based approach, it examined how virtuality affects a leader’s role as a source of influence and their reliance on others. By addressing endogeneity bias, the study offers causal insights from a natural experiment driven by pandemic-related shifts in team virtuality.

Capturing the Complexities of Leadership Coaching: A Test of AI-Assisted Evaluation

CCL Presenter: Katelyn McCoy

Coaching can be a highly effective method of leadership development, but evaluating its impact has traditionally been a difficult task. Evaluators often find participant reflections most insightful for understanding how and why coaching works well for leaders. To better understand the process and impact of coaching provided as part of leadership development programs, we engaged OpenAI’s GPT-4 model and a group of human coders in identifying and tagging themes to 1,500 participant comments from program evaluations. In this session, researchers shared their methods, lessons learned, and results.

Should’ve Learned That in Grad School: Gaps & Solutions in I-O Practitioner Curricula

CCL Presenter: Katelyn McCoy

Although most I-Os end up in nonacademic roles, graduate students often receive limited insight into the activities and competencies needed for applied careers. This session invited the audience to join breakouts to discuss the KSAOs that are lacking in I-O curricula and brainstorm practical solutions. A diverse range of professionals representing various stakeholders (e.g., professors, students, administration, managers of new grads) facilitated the breakouts which identified what is missing in I-O curricula, barriers to improving it, and concrete steps to bolster I-O education.

The Working Wounded: The Effect of Bereavement Grief and Workplace Practices on Employee Outcomes

CCL Presenters: Dr. Diane Bergeron

This symposium on bereavement (i.e., the death of someone significant), examined relationships among bereavement grief, bereavement leave, other organizational policies and practices, and work-related outcomes (job behaviors, work engagement, perceived organizational support). The insights shared showed concrete implications for people leaders and organizational decision makers.

The Bereavement Burden and Employee Leave Policies

CCL Presenters: Dr. Diane Bergeron and Dr. Andy Loignon 

The study featured in this session provided concrete evidence for managers, organizational leaders and policy makers to reference when making decisions about bereavement leave. In a survey of 1,535 bereaved employees, researchers investigated the prevalence and impact of various types of bereavement leave policies. Regardless of policy, 53% of participants reported their manager told them to “take as much time as you need.” They found that more generous bereavement leave policies predicted greater employee fairness perceptions, satisfaction with bereavement leave, and more favorable perceptions of the organization as supportive. Supportive leader behaviors also predicted these outcomes, but leader support does not substitute for flexible and generous bereavement policy.

Good Grief: Rethinking Workplace Policies and Practices Support Bereaved Employees

CCL Presenter: Dr. Diane Bergeron

Bereavement has a significant impact on employee well-being, and yet, surprisingly, it is a seldom-explored topic in the organizational sciences. This symposium covered the prevalence of bereavement in the workplace, the impact of bereavement, bereavement leave, and workplace practices on employee outcomes (e.g., work engagement, fairness perceptions, organizational commitment). It also focused on how organizations can better support bereaved employees.

Leading Wellbeing at Work: Creating Environments Where Humans Thrive

CCL Presenters: Sol Bulkin and Dr. Paige Graham

Leadership is pivotal in fostering workplace wellbeing. This session explored the integration of wellbeing into leadership development programs, the importance of recovery-friendly leadership, sleep leadership, and the impact of leadership on mental health. Presenters also shared practical communication, connection, and belonging tips. Following presentations from each panelist, participants also engaged in guided discussions in small groups, allowing for more in-depth exploration of the topics.

Practical Solutions to Common Challenges in Impact Measurement

CCL Presenters: Dr. Heather Champion and Dr. Jeff Kosovich

Drawing on the collective knowledge and experience of practitioners and researchers in impact measurement, this session explored common challenges in measuring the impact of learning and development initiatives. It introduced three practical, undervalued solutions to help address these challenges and demonstrated the application of the solutions with data and tools. Panelists also shared insights to demonstrate the value of learning and development through impact measurement.

Navigating the Labyrinth: Diverse Pathways to Success in I-O Psychology

CCL Presenter: Dr. Stephen Jeong

This panel discussion explored the diverse and often unexpected career paths in I-O psychology and featured four professionals sharing their unique journeys from aspiring students to successful practitioners and academicians. Designed for both aspiring and early-career I-O psychologists, the session illuminated the challenges, opportunities, and pivotal moments that shape careers in the field, demonstrating that success often comes through adaptability and embracing the unpredictable nature of professional growth.

Coaches Gone Wild? Executive Coaching in an Unregulated Environment

CCL Presenter: Patricia Overland

In this session, experienced practitioners from diverse backgrounds shared their insights regarding the self-regulated field of executive coaching. Panelists discussed ethical considerations surrounding navigating the coaching industry and used prompts to share how they would respond to specific ethical dilemmas.

Is Nature the Best Leadership Teacher? Outdoor Adventure for Leader Development

CCL Presenter: Trevor Rosenberg 

Drawing on the collective expertise of practitioners and researchers in experiential leadership development, learning agility, and nature contact, this session examined current practices in outdoor adventure leadership development. Panelists identified key elements in program design and execution and discussed potential challenges and opportunities. Panelists also shared insights to the benefits of outdoor adventure leadership development for individuals and organizations.

As a pioneer in the leadership development space with over 50 years of experience in leadership research, CCL’s presence at the SIOP conference allows us to amplify vital insights that help shape the field across leader levels, industries and sectors. It also provides an opportunity to integrate differing approaches and perspectives, further strengthening our dedication to our mission of advancing the understanding and practice of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide.

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The exhibit will be available for viewing during the public reception on April 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. EDT, at CCL’s Greensboro location.

“This is not your child’s colored pencil art project!” said CCL art curator Laura Gibson.  “These works are a master class in taking a medium to the next level. The Center recognizes the deep connections between art, leadership and innovation, and this show perfectly illustrates how art can change your perspective or preconceived notions of capabilities…of people or a pencil!”

Over 450 artists have exhibited at CCL’s Greensboro campus since 2012. In that time, over 2,700 pieces of art have been displayed; nearly 4,600 patrons have attended art receptions; and over $138,000 worth of art has been sold, with no commission being taken by CCL. Learn more about CCL’s art program.

Public viewings of “Colored Pencil Society of America” are also available by appointment on Friday afternoons through Friday, July 25. Interested individuals can contact Ms. Gibson at 336-708-2495 to inquire.

The post CCL GSO Campus to Host Public Artists’ Reception Featuring Local NC Artists appeared first on CCL.

The Legacy of Impact for Partnership Excellence Award honors outstanding  partners who have made significant strides in driving meaningful impact within the community. These partners exemplify a shared commitment, vision, and dedication to building a brighter future for students and communities while amplifying the collective impact of this shared mission.

“Teach For America North Carolina develops and supports our leaders through impactful and strategic partnerships in pursuit of an excellent education for every child. Those same leaders are better positioned to transform education and expand opportunity because of CCL’s innovative programming. We are thrilled to recognize them as a part of our statewide anniversary celebration and award them with the Legacy of Impact for Partnership Excellence Award,” said Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, Executive Director, Teach For America North Carolina Regions.

Honorees were recognized during TFA NC’s annual signature event, held Mar. 20, to bring together community leaders, uplift NC students, and celebrate the impact of Teach For America educators. This year’s event also marked 10 years of impact in the Piedmont Triad and brought together leaders across the state from the education, business, and civic communities.

This recognition signifies CCL’s continued efforts to understand and invest in the leadership development of youth, students, and educators with the goal of building the capacity of all young people to have a greater impact on themselves, their peers, and their world.

“We are truly honored to receive this recognition from Teach for America North Carolina. CCL has been committed to enhancing leadership in K-12 schools and school systems for 40 years. Our partnership with Teach for America NC has allowed us to extend our reach to TFA alumni who make a positive difference in education each day in our home state of North Carolina,” said Lynn Fick-Cooper, Chief Societal Impact Officer.

“Our collaboration with TFA NC is a powerful way to develop future generations of leaders, honor our North Carolina heritage, and fulfill our mission to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide.”

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CCL has been on Training Industry’s global Top 20 Leadership Training Companies List in the each of the following years:

• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025

As Training Industry notes, their Top 20 Leadership Training List each year “is based on thorough analysis of the capabilities, experience, and expertise of leadership development providers.” Criteria for inclusion include:

• Breadth and quality of program and service offerings.
• Industry visibility, innovation and impact in the leadership training market.
• Client and customer representation.
• Business performance and growth.

Because of the diversity of services included in leadership training programs, Training Industry does not rank the Top 20 in order of priority.

We’re proud to have earned this award from Training Industry once again, in addition to being ranked as one of Training Industry’s Top 20 providers of leadership assessments, in each of the past 10+ years.

The post CCL Ranked Among the World’s Top Providers of Leadership Training appeared first on CCL.

Each year, the Journal of Business and Psychology awards the Editor’s Commendation to papers that the journal’s editors find particularly intriguing and exciting. This recognition is awarded to the top 2% of all papers submitted to the journal each year.

Written by CCL’s Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Andy Loignon, and Senior Data Scientist, Sirish Shrestha, the paper was completed in conjunction with colleagues at Rice University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  It discusses synthetic data as a solution to address concerns surrounding privacy and integrity in data sharing.

This recognition underscores CCL’s 50-year legacy of pioneering leadership research driven by cutting-edge data science.

“This groundbreaking work on synthetic data represents a pivotal advancement in leadership research, offering innovative solutions to data privacy challenges while enhancing the rigor and accessibility of our studies,” said Dr. Sarah Stawiski, Vice President of Leadership Research & Analytics. “By pioneering new methodologies, CCL is setting the stage for future explorations in leadership science.”

Learn more about our leadership development research.

The post CCL Researchers Honored With Editor’s Commendation appeared first on CCL.

In addition to being recognized by Training Industry as a top provider of leadership training, CCL has received the honor of being named as a top assessment provider for the following years:

• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

A leading research and information resource for corporate learning leaders, Training Industry based its ranking on several critical criteria, including:

• Diversity of assessment capabilities;
• Quality and innovativeness of evaluation techniques;
• Company size and growth potential;
• Quality and number of clients/users; and
• Awards, recognition, and competitive differentiation.

With over 50 years of experience in leadership development and assessments, we are proud to maintain a diverse and innovative portfolio of leadership assessment offerings, including the industry-leading Benchmarks® 360 assessments suite, and the straightforward and simple-to-use Skillscope® leadership skills assessment. In addition, we offer an Assessment Certification Course to certify facilitators to administer and interpret all our 360° assessments.

“It’s a privilege to be counted among the world’s top providers of leadership assessments,” said Jeff Howard, CCL’s Vice President of Global Portfolio & Leadership Solutions. “We’re especially grateful for the opportunity to partner with clients globally as we enhance our innovative portfolio of assessments and expand its reach.”

The post CCL Ranked Among World’s Top Providers of Assessments appeared first on CCL.

The Kenneth E. Clark Student Research Award recognizes outstanding unpublished papers by undergraduate and graduate students. Named in memory of Kenneth Clark, a distinguished scholar and former president of CCL, the award is co-sponsored with the International Leadership Association.

Dr. Karryna Madison received the 2024 award for her paper titled, “Rewrite the Recipe: A Gendered Examination of Social Exchange Theory in Leadership Research.” Dr. Madison is an Assistant Professor in Leadership from the Australian National University and her research examines how gender interacts with communal approaches to leadership.

The awarded paper challenges traditional leadership studies to consider gender dynamics within organizations. It also highlights how this oversight can limit our understanding of leadership, noting that research must acknowledge gender as a key factor to accurately capture the complexities of social exchanges between leaders and their teams.

Also sponsored by CCL, the Leadership Quarterly Best Paper Award is presented annually in recognition of the best published paper submitted during the previous year to Leadership Quarterly.

Dr. Mladen Adamovic, a Senior Lecturer in Cross-Cultural Management at King’s College London, and Dr. Andreas Leibbrandt, a Professor of Economics at Monash Business School, are the 2023 Leadership Quarterly Award winners for their paper. Their research focuses on social issues in the workplace as they relate to leadership, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion and cross-cultural management.

This paper reveals that ethnic minorities experience significantly greater discrimination when applying for leadership roles compared to non-leadership positions. The Australia-based study involved submitting over 12,000 job applications and found that applicants with non-English names received 57.4% fewer positive response for leadership roles than those with English names, despite identical resumes.

As a pioneer of the industry with over 50 years of experience in leadership research, CCL is dedicated to stimulating and recognizing outstanding research in the field and its application to the practice of leadership at every level in organizations across the world.

“Our mission is to advance the understanding and practice of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide. To achieve this mission, we must support scholars who are conducting vital research that shines light on leadership dynamics affected by gender and ethnicity,” said Sarah Stawiski, Vice President of Leadership Research & Analytics. “By doing so we’re investing in a future where leadership is accessible to all, regardless of gender or ethnicity.”

Learn more about our leadership development research.

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