Developing leadership: the Pro-Leader intervention program's integrated approach

Introduction: The impact of leaders on organizational success has been well documented, leading to growth in the leadership training industry over recent decades. However, this investment has not always resulted in better leaders. Leadership intervention programs have faced notable criticism, including (a) a lack of personalization ('one size fits all' approach), (b) an overemphasis on predefined skills, and (c) insufficient consideration of context, often ignoring other members' and organizations' characteristics. Thus, we present and discuss Pro-Leader, an intervention program grounded in the Leadership Efficacy Model (LEM), designed to enhance leadership through a comprehensive training approach. The Leadership Efficacy Model: A Framework for Leadership Development The LEM proposes that leadership efficacy increases when leaders are aligned in how they plan to exert leadership (the conceptual cycle of leadership) and how they actually carry out leadership (the practical cycle of leadership), while also considering the leadership behaviors they demonstrate when exerting influence (leadership styles), as well as their own characteristics, team members', and contextual factors (antecedent factors). The Pro-Leader intervention is built around the LEM framework and educates participants on these three components: leadership cycles, leadership styles, and antecedent factors of leadership. Conclusion: The program can represent a valuable tool for both professionals interested in stimulating the leadership ability of their clients and for individuals who are (or can be) in a position of leadership. In fact, by mastering the way leadership cycles should be established, how to effectively utilize leadership behaviors, and how to control the antecedent factors of leadership, participants can gain a better understanding of how to modulate the three factors involved in the leadership process.