ELE Group, LLC

This session provided a fresh lens on leadership development—moving from instruction to empowerment, from expert-led to peer-driven.

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“How can we swing the pendulum closer to coaching… to elicit wisdom instead of just transferring information?” — <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/ana-bedard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ana Bedard</a>
</blockquote>
That one question reframed the challenge HR leaders face: how to build leadership agility in an era where formal programs often fall short. The answer? Coaching—not just from professional coaches, but through peers practicing real-time feedback, powerful questions, and shared accountability.
The session introduced a scalable model inspired by Lead Belay—where leaders grow through structured, facilitated peer coaching circles. It’s lightweight, trust-building, and rooted in real-world challenges, not theory.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-43061" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shift-from-Formal-to-Empowered-15-MAY-2025-1.jpg" alt="The Shift from Formal to Empowered: Coaching as the New Learning Paradigm" width="1920" height="1103" />
Key Takeaways:

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Coaching fosters agility, empathy, and self-awareness—more than teaching ever could.
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Peer coaching models are cost-effective and scalable across all leadership levels.
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Open-ended, clarifying questions expose blind spots and spark deeper insight.
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“Pay-it-forward” coaching builds internal capacity without new headcount.
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When leaders coach each other, they also transform their own leadership habits.
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Practical Actions You Can Take Now:

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Start a small peer coaching pilot using real leadership challenges.
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Train managers in clarifying questions and active listening techniques.
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Design for “exponential learning”—today’s participants become tomorrow’s guides.
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Supplement formal leadership programs with peer coaching cohorts.
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Encourage leaders to visibly practice coaching skills in team interactions.
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<blockquote data-start="1866" data-end="1988">
“The Lead Belay model is a multiplier. You’re building relationships, coaching skills, and agility all at once.” — <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/jane-shlaes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jane Shlaes</a>
</blockquote>
This isn’t just a new method—it’s a mindset shift. For HR leaders ready to empower people instead of just informing them, peer coaching offers a clear path forward.
It’s a practical, human-centered approach that scales leadership development without scaling cost. And more importantly, it creates the kind of connected, reflective leaders we need now more than ever.
Have a takeaway, challenge, or success story to add? Share it with the community on <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ELE Idea Exchange</a>.

The Shift from Formal to Empowered: Coaching as the New Learning Paradigm

jane.shlaes

collaborative learning

performance improvement

leadership development

talent development

anton.maletich

missy.gonzales

Coaching

Talent Strategy

Performance Improvement

ana.bedard

learning and development

peer coaching

HR transformation

coaching skills

Coaching Culture

wise2025

leadership agility

agile leadership

scalable learning

coaching mindset

empowered leadership

ManpowerGroup

In this keynote session, Dr. Syneathia LaGrant pulled back the curtain on how one of the world’s largest staffing firms is transforming from transactional recruitment into a relationship-first, AI-augmented talent model.
With operations in 75 countries and three specialized brands (Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions), Manpower is building a more agile, people-centered culture. At the center: a leadership model defined by clarity, care, and growth—not just aspirational words, but tangible behaviors that guide decisions and drive results across their global teams.

<blockquote data-start="800" data-end="973">
“Agility is core to our leadership. We can’t be stagnant—we have to pivot fast to meet the needs of our clients, candidates, and industry.” – <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/syneathia-lagrant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Syneathia LaGrant</a>, ManpowerGroup
</blockquote>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-43052" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Manpower-Standards-May-15-2025-Keynote-1.jpg" alt="People Culture at Manpower" width="816" height="417" />

&nbsp;
💡 Key Insights from the Keynote:

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🧭 Leadership simplicity: Clear expectations create alignment and speed.
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⚡ Agility as a skillset: Leaders are trained in learning, change, and leadership agility.
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🤖 AI that builds skill: “Casey” helps recruiters practice real conversations—building trust, not just efficiency.
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💼 Recruiters as Talent Agents: Long-term, high-trust relationships over transactional placements.
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📊 Data-fed feedback loops: Tools evolve in real time based on user input and behavioral data.
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🌱 ESG embedded in strategy: Not a side initiative—integral to workforce and business decisions.
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</ul>
Dr. LaGrant’s keynote delivered a clear message: Innovation in workforce strategy starts with grounded leadership and bold redefinition of roles and tools.
💬 Which of these shifts could make the biggest difference in your org? Share your thoughts on the <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ELE Idea Exchange</a>.

The Shift from Formal to Empowered: Coaching as the New Learning Paradigm

People Culture at Manpower

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