Johnson & Johnson: Executive Development and Solving Business Issues through Action Learning

INTERVENTION

Dr. Ronald Bossert worked with the senior executives to design and deliver the Executive Development Program. It was a direct response to feedback by executives who wanted business-driven programs which had immediate applicability and could address real problems. It was agreed that each Executive Development Program would be a highly customized intervention, with a focus on the development of leadership skills and teamwork, and the examination of a strategic Johnson & Johnson business issue. The program had three objectives based on the concept of action learning:

• To assist participants develop leadership and team skills necessary to work across organizational boundaries
• To generate ideas and recommendations on the Johnson & Johnson business issues
• To assist participants in developing plans to apply the key learning to their own businesses

Participants were 28 high potential key contributors from various businesses, functional areas and regions of the world. They attended a two day meeting in September to receive briefings on the business issue and support for working as a team. The attendees were divided into two teams of 14, and each worked together as a virtual team with representatives from the various businesses around the world. They reconvened in December to report their findings and recommendations to the Group Operating Committee.

METHODOLOGY

Working with the Medical Devices & Diagnostics Group Operating Committee, participants were tasked with identifying potential improvements to the Medical Devices & Diagnostics strategic planning process. The charge was to gather information from interviews, both within and outside Johnson & Johnson, about best practices in strategic planning. Dr. Bossert formed a partnership with the Operating Committee to guide the program, select participants and monitor progress. Leadership assessments were administered, action coaching was provided for each team, and sessions were designed to brief participants on the business issue and also keep them focused on the primary objective of the program which was leadership development.