Global food and beverage manufacturer

Background

A global food and beverage manufacturer identified an opportunity to further support their factory team leaders (particularly those working evening shifts) who often face unique challenges. These leaders are responsible for making critical decisions in real time, frequently with limited access to senior leadership during off-peak hours. In some cases, this could lead to high levels of stress, consistent decision-making and difficulties in managing team dynamics. While factory team leads play a vital role in maintaining productivity and team morale, they have fewer development opportunities.

The Learning & Development team recognised a gap in leadership training for these frontline leaders, especially in areas such as navigating difficult conversations, managing conflict, and building the confidence to lead effectively under pressure. To address this, the L&D team partnered with us to co-create a tailored development programme that would empower these leaders and enhance their impact on the factory floor.

Our solution

Over the course of eight months, we collaborated closely with the L&D team to design and deliver a comprehensive leadership development programme grounded in strengths-based psychology. The initiative focused on equipping team leaders with the tools, confidence, and self-awareness needed to thrive in their roles.

Key components of the programme included:

• Accreditation of the L&D team to deliver 1-1 Strengthscope® debriefs, ensuring internal capability and sustainability.
• Strengthscope® assessments for the Senior Leadership Team, followed by a group debrief to align on the programme’s strategic direction and ensure visibility across leadership levels.
• Strengthscope®, Strengthscope360™, and StrengthscopeLeader™ assessments for all participating team leaders, providing deep insights into their strengths, leadership styles, and development areas.
• A series of four interactive workshops:
  • The first three workshops focused on core leadership skills, including communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
  • The final workshop addressed stress management, self-care, and resilience, key areas for sustaining performance in high-pressure environments.

Outcome

The impact of the programme was measured through pre- and post-programme assessments, revealing significant improvements across several key leadership dimensions:

• 34% increase in confidence to provide both positive and constructive feedback.
• 33% increase in practical understanding and application of individual strengths in leadership roles.
• 20% increase in overall leadership effectiveness.

These results reflect a meaningful shift in how team leaders perceive their roles and responsibilities, particularly during evening shifts where support is limited. By focusing on strengths and building leadership capability from the inside out, the organisation has taken a proactive step toward creating a more empowered, resilient, and confident frontline leadership team.