--- title: Using Leadership Development to Build a Succession Pipeline description: How a clinical research company used leadership development with Velocity Advisory Group to build a strong succession pipeline after the pandemic. image: https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Leadership-Dev-Build-Succession-Pipeline-1.webp --- [![Velocity Advisory Group](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Velocity-Logo-2023-Wide-1.png)](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/) ☰ Menu - About - [Meet Our Team](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/about/) - [Meet Our Coaches](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/coaches/) - [Careers](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/careers/) - [Speaking Engagements](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/velocity-speakers/) - Solutions - [Culture & Engagement](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/culture-engagement/) - [DISC Assessments & Training](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/disc-assessments-training/) - [Employee Experience](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/employee-experience/) - [Executive Coaching](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/executive-coaching/) - [Family Business](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/family-business/) - [Leadership Development](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/leadership-development/) - [Sales Training](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/5cs-of-selling/) - [Strategy & Implementation](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/strategy-implementation/) - Resources - [Activating Greatness Podcast](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/podcast/) - [Blog](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/blog/) - [Case Studies](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/case-studies/) - [News and Announcements](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/news-and-events/) - [OrderDisc](https://orderdisc.com/) - [Upcoming Events](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/upcoming-events/) - Industries - [Construction](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/construction/) - [Financial Services](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/financial-services/) - [Life Sciences](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/lifesciences/) - [Contact](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/contact/) Insights & NewsCase Studies March 6, 2024 # Using Leadership Development to Build a Succession Pipeline During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa, C., Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at a leading company in the clinical research industry, identified a significant gap in the company’s leadership development efforts. Part meeting a need as the pandemic subsided, part being proactive to develop leaders who would eventually need to step into bigger roles, there was some urgency around getting a program that would deliver significant value to a wide range of employees of different backgrounds and experiences. ## The Challenge Amidst the challenges brought by rapid industry changes and the aftermath of a global pandemic, Lisa reflected on what the organization was doing to accelerate leadership readiness. > “The answer was simple,” she said. “It was nothing. So I knew exactly who to call.” ## The Solution Focusing on high-potential employees poised to take on senior leadership roles at some point in the future, Velocity tailored our [Emerging Leaders Program](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/emerging-leaders/) for the organization. The program combines tangible and critical leadership topics over the course of five workshops with practical application, including capstone projects that allow participants to address real business challenges. > “They’ve been enlightening for us for enhancing some of our internal business processes, ” Lisa said of the capstone projects. Key components of the program include leadership concepts like psychological safety and the Delegation Model, having effective coaching conversations, how to manage and lead, navigating change, and enhancing team dynamics using Velocity’s proprietary [Birds framework](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/disc-birdstyle/) — a unique take on the traditional DISC styles. The Birds is a popular workshop across Velocity clients, but within this organization in particular, it’s always one of the favorite aspects of the program. “It helps them understand themselves. It helps them understand their bosses. It helps them understand their customers. It’s been a huge value add and we use it throughout the company now.” Each participant at the organization is also paired with one of Velocity’s experienced executive coaches. > “They all want to keep their coaches after they graduate,” she said. “There’s a psychological safety where they can talk to their coach outside of the company world, and the coach can pull through topics and themes for further exploration as well … they find so much value in the relationship.” ## The Results More than 76 participants have gone through the program, and 22% of participants have been promoted since completing the program Read the full case study below or [click here](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Clinical-Research-Company-Case-Study_EL.pdf) for a downloadable PDF. 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