By: Lindsay Zubek
We all strive to hire A players—the best talent available within our budgets. After all, we know that a business is only as strong as its team. Our employees execute our vision, engage with our clients, and shape our brand in ways that often surpass our own direct influence. While we may lead from behind the scenes, they are the face and voice of our organizations.
We’ve talked about the undeniable impact a skilled manager has on the customer experience. And experience is everything. Consider the restaurant industry: even the best food in the world won’t bring customers back if the service is slow and the staff is unengaged. The same principle applies across industries—whether it’s sales, finance, healthcare, or tech. The experience your team delivers determines your success. That experience is largely shaped by your managers—and their leadership skills.
But here’s the challenge: what makes an A player today may not be what your business needs tomorrow. Markets shift. Business landscapes evolve. The leadership skills required to succeed continuously change. And constant turnover is costly. Research shows that replacing an employee can cost an organization anywhere from 50% to 200% of that person’s salary, depending on the level of the role and industry.
What if, instead of constantly replacing managers who fall short, you could invest in leadership coaching and training to upskill them? What if you could take your solid B players and develop them into A+ leaders? The cost of management training is only a fraction of hiring a replacement, and the return on investment is exponential. You don’t just retain a capable manager—you create a transformational leader who can elevate the entire team, improve morale, enhance the customer experience, and drive business success.
I’ve seen firsthand how leadership development programs change careers and transform organizations.
Early in my management career, I struggled. I had been promoted because I was good at my job, but I quickly learned that managing people required an entirely different skill set. Leadership is about more than just knowing the work—it’s about giving effective feedback, building trust, fostering collaboration, and practicing self-awareness. Without guidance or leadership coaching, I floundered.
Later in my career, I found myself in an organization that prioritized leadership training. I received world-class development and mentorship, and it transformed my trajectory. I entered as a solid B player and emerged an A+. I know this because I can see the lasting impact—not just
on my own career, but on the many emerging leaders I had the privilege of mentoring. Their success is proof of the value of investing in leadership development.
That experience fuels my passion today. At Plum Leadership Group, we’ve combined years of research, hands-on expertise, and a deep commitment to leadership excellence to create a program designed to develop managers into high-impact leaders. And now, for the first time, we’re opening it to the public.
This leadership development program is designed for new managers, experienced leaders, and executives from any industry, at any level, in any geography. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate executive, or a new manager looking to grow, this opportunity is for you. Investing in management training and leadership coaching doesn’t just change individual careers—it transforms entire organizations. The best teams aren’t simply hired; they’re developed.
Are you ready to take your leadership—and your business—to the next level?
