Listen to this articleLeadership programs can help foster personal growth, unlock potential and bring their best selves forward.
It’s all part of the leadership development market, a $3.9 million industry that is expected to hit $7.5 billion by 2023, according to Global Insight Services, a market research firm. The market can comprise seminars, coaching, online courses and more to cultivate leaders who can go on to hone their strategic thinking, decision-making and interpersonal skills, helping to foster innovation.
Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia, a personal coach based in Port Jefferson, says she sees “common threads where leaders are struggling.” They include being overwhelmed “from constant change, lack of alignment between personal values and professional goals, and difficulty creating space for innovation. These struggles often result in leaders operating in survival mode rather than thriving.”
De Iulio Casdia is partnering with Michael Kline, also a personal coach, to lead a Sept. 13-30 retreat in Con Smania, Costa Rica. The “Forged in Fire Retreat” is “designed to disrupt these patterns by blending professional development with moments of self-reflection and community connection in a serene and supportive environment,” she said.
The retreat is designed so that participants “will leave with actionable tools to better lead their teams, align their vision with their work, and approach challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and energy,” she said.
Donna Sirianni is the founder and CEO of Moving Forward Strategies, which offers personal development and leadership training through one-on-one and group training, including a monthly “Living Leadership” series for executives, at Drake Media Studios in Melville.
She says demand for “consistent development” is up. Her monthly programs, she said, serve as “mini retreats” for those who can’t get away. Rather than being informative, she said the sessions are designed to be “transformative,” and hands-on.
Participants are “able to take what they learn in Living Leadership and apply it to how they go forward and live their life and make decisions when it comes to leadership in their organizations,” Sirianni said. Upcoming sessions include “Mastering Rapport and Influence,” “Building Solid Belief Systems,” “Powerful Habits,” “Mindset Matters,” and “Kicking Stress to the Curb.”
For the business community at the Costa Rica retreat, De Iulio Casdia said sessions will include “Sustainable Leadership Practices,” teaching leaders how to maintain their energy and focus while navigating high-stress environments. The “Strategic Decision-Making” session is designed to help participants refine their ability to make confident, impactful decisions through clarity and intentionality. “Authentic Connection” will emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering better team dynamics and building meaningful relationships. “Adaptability and Growth” will address the necessity of shifting mindsets and embracing discomfort to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
“We will explore what is holding them back – i.e, blocks, thoughts, procrastination and more – and then incorporate our three-step ‘take action’ process while providing the tools, guidance and accountability to enable attendees to take confident decisive action,” she said.