Hybrid learning journeys for emerging managers at scale

Challenge:

Caterpillar needed to equip emerging managers with both hard and soft leadership skills. Without sacrificing impact, the company wanted to give a large returning cohort of new managers the opportunity to build the skillset, toolsets and mindsets required for collaborative decision-making, managing uncertainty and acting with urgency.

Solution:

WDHB co-designed a hybrid program of 10 modules, 6 of which draw from WDHB’s proven signature leadership experience and global exchange partnerships, addressing critical leadership competencies: leading with purpose, managing change, building psychological safety and collaboration, fostering belonging and trust, and acting with urgency.

Every cohort of 35 is consistently executed, and the modules continuously refined. The program maintained rigor and impact while scaling to 150-200 managers annually, demonstrating that human-centered learning doesn’t sacrifice efficiency.

The result:

• Long-standing partnership developing a pipeline of future-ready leaders
• Focus on rapid change, building high-trust teams, and leading with clear purpose
• Nearly 1,000 managers developed since 2023
• Hybrid delivery of experiential methodologies