The SLDP Experience: Blending Theory with Real-World Application

Finding the right opportunity to invest in professional development can be a challenge. Finding a program that aligns with one’s personal and professional needs can be even more challenging. Fortunately, for Megan Bengoechea, the search came to an end after coming across the Strategic Leadership Development Program (SLDP).

The Haskayne Strategic Leadership Development Program positions its learners to be more adept leaders, strategic thinkers and catalysts of change within their organizations. The program offers a carefully curated blend of strategic and leadership topics taught through innovative case studies, virtual group simulations and interactive class discussions. Megan joined the third cohort, which ran from December 2022 to June 2023, while maintaining her role as HR & IT Manager at IPC Canada Ltd. “The course workload was respectful of our everyday work requirements,” she says, allowing her to balance her work commitments and educational pursuits.

A critical component of the SLDP experience is the mentored Action Learning Project (ALP) where participants learn to apply their acquired knowledge to real and relevant business opportunities. Each learner’s ALP is designed in consultation with their senior leader, with the aim to yield tangible outcomes that benefit both them and their company. Megan decided on her ALP with her current organizational challenges in mind. “We’ve grown significantly through mergers and acquisitions over the past five years, but haven’t stopped to really understand our workforce,” she says. Her project was the perfect opportunity to dive into what drives their workforce, identify their development needs and define the overarching influence of culture and leadership on employee engagement. For Megan, having a defined workplace culture unique to the company’s growth is imperative to move the organization forward. Working on her ALP prompted new discussions at work, challenging assumptions along the way.

It was a refreshing change of pace for Megan to be back in a learning environment after years of absence. The diversity of perspectives within her cohort enriched her learning experience further. The various backgrounds and industries fostered a rich environment for sharing experiences and insights. “I felt confident in sharing and asking for guidance,” she says. She also found the one-on-one coaching sessions and diagnostic assessments informational as they pushed her to rethink and try new leadership approaches when engaging with fellow leaders. The program equipped her with valuable tools to navigate workplace challenges from different angles. 

In the ever-changing work environment, effective leadership is crucial. Through its thoughtfully crafted curriculum and transformative projects, the Strategic Leadership Development Program empowers its learners to re-engage with their work, redefine their leadership approach and become agents of organizational change. “I feel more confident with my place at the table and my ability to influence our workforce and identify where we need change.”