ASSESSING ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACTS OF RURAL AND STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Organizations invest billions of dollars annually in leadership development programs (LDPs), yet few studies evaluate their tangible impact on organizational outcomes. While individual benefits of LDPs are often acknowledged, the extent to which these programs influence broader organizational change remains unclear. This qualitative study examines the organizational effects of two LDPs in the Midwest region with similar goals and curriculum: a small rural program (Program R) and a large statewide program (Program S). A total of 24 participants—12 from each program—completed a Qualtrics questionnaire and participated in a 60-minute semi-structured interview. Data was analyzed using ATLAS.ti, with themes coded based on participants’ perceptions of the programs’ organizational influence. Two major themes emerged: (1) increased organizational commitment and (2) positive organizational changes. The first theme included subthemes of greater appreciation for the organization and an increase ... continue reading->

Keywords: Leadership Program Evaluation; Organizational Impact; Leadership Development; Rural Leadership; Program Outcomes