Investing in Leadership Training: The Return Organizations Can’t Afford to Ignore

After I retired from policing in 2015, I spent some time developing (first in my mind and then on paper) a full-on, totally engaged, 1-Day leadership training program, which I called SONAR Leadership. It was an experience that had been missing in my career journey, and I was bound and determined to fill the gap I saw.

SONAR is an acronym perfectly suited to this workshop’s philosophy and its impact on participants.

SONAR was and is designed as a workshop experience in which, in one day, participants are exposed to practical, useful, and actionable ideas about growing their leadership capacity with their teams.  

It is a very popular program, and we have been fortunate to have delivered it publicly and in-house to many of our clients.

Although it is a sought-after experience (I am delivering the workshop twice next week), I have toyed with the idea of an elevated workshop experience.

The fruition of my mental gymnastics is a totally new 1-day experience called SONAR Leadership 2.0.

SONAR Leadership 2.0 Training Vancouver BC – January 23, 2025 (Seats are almost sold out!)

We are launching it at a public workshop in Vancouver on  January 23, 2025. The first date (January 21, 2025, sold out almost immediately)

The cost to attend is $427 CAD per person, with a table of six costing $2,250 CAD ($375 CAD per person).

We will open dates to our clients as an in-person onsite option as of January 24, 2025. Our fee is based on our one-day workshop rate, not the number of participants in the room, making the training even more cost-effective.

I hope you are interested in joining us in January, but whether or not you do this week, I wanted to discuss the return on investing in leadership training.  

How To Quantify Leadership Training

We often discuss the importance of investing in leadership, but how often do we quantify it?

Leadership isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the engine that drives performance, culture, and innovation. For organizations that genuinely want to thrive, leadership is the multiplier effect on every other investment.

So, what’s the ROI on leadership training? Let’s break it down.

Improved Performance Across the Board

When leaders grow, teams grow. It’s that simple. Leadership development programs give managers the tools to engage, inspire, and elevate their teams. 

When leaders lead effectively, performance metrics shift in the right direction. You see improvements in productivity, employee satisfaction, and even client retention.

What’s the impact? Research shows that organizations with robust leadership pipelines outperform their peers by up to 4.5 times in revenue growth. The numbers don’t lie.

Reduced Turnover & Talent Retention

Leadership training doesn’t just make leaders better—it creates environments where people want to stay. 

Employees quit bad leaders, not bad companies. You have heard this before, and you know it to be true.

Investing in leadership capacity helps ensure your leaders have the skills to motivate, empathize, and foster loyalty.

Turnover is expensive. On average, replacing them costs 6 to 9 months of an employee’s salary. Keeping talent is a huge win, not just for continuity but for the bottom line.

Stronger Organizational Culture

A company’s culture reflects its leadership. When you invest in leadership development, you’re investing in the foundation of your culture. 

A well-trained leader models the values and behaviors you want to see across the organization. They set the tone, hold others accountable, and create a trickle-down effect that elevates everyone.

Great leaders cultivate cultures of collaboration, trust, and growth. That’s not just a feel-good statement—it’s the key to innovation and long-term success.

Provides Innovation and Agility

We live in a fast-moving world, and organizations need adaptable, forward-thinking leaders who can pivot when necessary.

Leadership development equips leaders with the skills to make sound decisions under pressure and to inspire their teams to embrace change rather than fear it.

Innovation thrives in environments led by strong leaders. These leaders encourage creativity, open communication, and bold thinking. This isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a competitive advantage.

Return on Investment (ROI) in Numbers

Companies typically see a return of 5 to 10 times the investment for every dollar spent on leadership development. How? Through improved productivity, lower turnover, and more effective decision-making. This return can be even higher when leadership directly influences a critical project or strategic initiative.

The Cost of Not Investing

What’s the alternative? Not investing in leadership is far more expensive. Poor leadership leads to disengaged teams, low morale, and high turnover. It stifles creativity and innovation. The true cost? Missed opportunities, a talent drain, and a diminished reputation.

Leaders must constantly evolve in a world where change is the only constant. If they don’t, they—and their organizations—will be left behind.

Conclusion

Investing in leadership training isn’t just a cost. It’s a strategic investment in your organization’s future. It impacts every level of your business—from top to bottom. It enhances performance, strengthens culture, and future-proofs your teams against the challenges ahead.

Leadership is an investment that pays dividends again and again.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in leadership training. It’s whether you can afford not to.

If I have whetted your appetite to attend SONAR Leadership 2.0 on January 23, 2025, please let us know.