Evaluating the Effectiveness of Leadership Development Initiatives                                                                             

Asiimwe Kyomugisha T.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Leadership development initiatives are a major investment for organizations seeking to cultivate leadership skills and drive long-term success. Despite their importance, the evaluation of these programs’ effectiveness remains inconsistent and often superficial. Traditional evaluation methods focus heavily on initial reactions, learning outcomes, and behavior changes, but often fail to assess the broader organizational impact. This paper explores the significance of leadership development, examines various frameworks and methods for assessment, and highlights the persistent challenges faced in evaluating program effectiveness. Using a case study approach and a review of best practices, the research identifies key performance indicators, innovative evaluation models, and emerging trends. It proposes a more holistic and multi-dimensional strategy for leadership development evaluation, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessment, stakeholder involvement, and a balance between qualitative and quantitative measures. Future directions for research and practice are also outlined, offering insights into how organizations can better capture and enhance the true impact of their leadership development initiatives.

Keywords: Leadership development, Training evaluation, Program effectiveness, Organizational impact, Key performance indicators (KPIs), Qualitative assessment, Leadership capability.

CITE AS: Asiimwe Kyomugisha T. (2025). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Leadership Development Initiatives. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN EDUCATION 5(2):31-36.  https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJRE/2025/523136