Ten reasons to NOT develop your leaders

You might think that surely there's never a right or wrong time to invest in developing leaders. For isn't it good quality leaders that make or break a business? And obviously a business that understands the many benefits of supporting their leaders to be the best they can be, would surely want to continue that approach?

Well sometimes the answer is - No! If you're going to invest some money in transforming your leadership culture, aligning your leaders to one approach, or just unlocking the talent you already have in your business... there are certain conditions that will set you up for success.

You should NOT invest in leader development if you're experiencing any of the following;

1. Your Business Isn’t Ready Timing is everything. If your business isn’t ready for confident, capable, proactive leaders who will tackle challenges and drive exponential growth, it’s not the right time for leadership development. Instead, focus on preparing your organization for change. Explore your business's relationship to change, run some training on navigating and leading it, and lay the groundwork for transformation.

2. Your Board Thinks the Problem Is ‘Out There’ This one’s common: “We want to invest in our leaders, but we’re fine, thanks.” If senior leaders are expected to step up (a frequent ask from boards), the board must also be willing to share responsibility and let go a little. True transformation happens when both the board and the senior leadership team (SLT) work together. A successful program involves everyone—boards included—checking in regularly and reflecting on their role in enabling or blocking change.

3. No Organisational Alignment If your business lacks a clear strategy, vision, or direction, leadership development can feel disconnected and ineffective. The best programs align teams, creating opportunities to work on the business while working on yourself. But without clarity on the skills or future you’re building toward, your ROI will fall flat.

4. No Commitment from the Top If the board isn’t ready to role-model behaviors or engage with the process, why should you expect other leaders to? Leadership development only works if it has full commitment from the top—not just in words but in action.

5. A Toxic Culture That’s Still Festering You can transform every leader in your organization, but if the culture they’re working in remains toxic, it’s like putting a bandage on a bullet wound. Address the systemic issues first. Then, leadership development can thrive.

6. Insufficient Resources or Time Leadership development isn’t a “quick and cheap” investment. Leaders need time, effort, and budget to make it work. If you’re unwilling to give them time to reflect, support them properly, or partner with a high-quality learning provider, don’t be surprised if the program falls short.

7. Chasing Quick Fixes Leadership development isn’t about short-term boosts. Sure, quick wins can energize the team, but they won’t create lasting behavior change. Done well, leader development has a ripple effect that shapes your organization far beyond the program’s end.

8. Fear of Feedback A great leadership program will dig deep into what’s working—and what isn’t. If decision-makers are afraid this process will highlight gaps in leadership, that’s a sign to focus on building psychological safety and resilience first. Every organization has areas for improvement; the key is being ready to embrace the opportunity for growth.

9. Poor Timing If your business is going through major upheaval—like restructuring, mergers, or layoffs—it might not be the right time for a full leadership program. But that doesn’t mean doing nothing. Individual executive coaching can help leaders navigate turbulent times and prepare for the future.

10. Burnt-Out Leaders If your leaders are already at their limit, piling on leadership development will feel like another task on an endless to-do list. Instead, prioritize building resilience, reviewing ways of working, and resourcing smarter. Set them up for success before asking them to stretch further.

So there you have it, 10 conditions that tell you your business needs something else before it gets to leader development. Make every pound of your investment matter, by ensuring you have the best conditions possible for success.

Find this article useful? Then do me a huge favour and give it a like - or better still, share it in your community - help another leader find the resource they need today!

Jx