How can cross-functional leadership programs be successful with regulators and policymakers?

2 Define your objectives

Once you have a clear picture of your audience, you need to define what you want to achieve with your cross-functional leadership program. You can use the SMART framework to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives. For example, you might want to increase your leaders' awareness of the regulatory and policy environment, improve their collaboration and negotiation skills with regulators and policymakers, or influence their decision-making or behavior on a specific issue. Defining your objectives will help you design your program curriculum, activities, and outcomes.

3 Align your stakeholders

Another key step in creating a successful cross-functional leadership program is to align your internal and external stakeholders. You need to ensure that your program aligns with your organization's vision, mission, values, and strategy, as well as with the expectations and interests of your regulators and policymakers. You can use tools such as stakeholder mapping, analysis, or engagement to identify and prioritize your stakeholders, understand their roles and responsibilities, and communicate your program goals and benefits. Aligning your stakeholders will help you gain their support, commitment, and participation.

4 Deliver your program

After planning and aligning your cross-functional leadership program, you need to deliver it in an effective and engaging way. You can use a variety of methods and formats to deliver your program, such as workshops, webinars, podcasts, case studies, simulations, or mentoring. You can also use a blended or hybrid approach that combines online and offline elements. Whatever method or format you choose, you need to ensure that your program is interactive, relevant, and practical. You can use techniques such as storytelling, gamification, or peer learning to make your program more appealing and memorable.

5 Evaluate your program

Finally, you need to evaluate your cross-functional leadership program to measure its impact and effectiveness. You can use quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyze data on your program outcomes, such as feedback forms, surveys, interviews, tests, or observations. You can also use indicators or metrics that are aligned with your objectives, such as knowledge retention, skill improvement, attitude change, or behavior modification. Evaluating your program will help you identify its strengths and weaknesses, celebrate its successes, and implement its improvements.