Grow Leaders.
Create Impact.
Leadership for Impact turns development into a real‑world experience - where leaders step out of the classroom and into meaningful change. By tackling hands‑on social impact challenges, they grow faster, think bigger, and deliver results that matter - to people, communities, and your business.
Leadership for Impact
Developing purpose-driven leaders through real-world global action.
INTRODUCTION
The world needs a new kind of leader - someone who looks beyond corporate walls, navigates complexity with confidence, and drives meaningful impact, not just profit.
Leadership for Impact is LeadUp's flagship program for global organizations that want to accelerate the growth of their most talented Leaders.
We invite 20-30 Leaders to step out of the office and into fast-growing markets, where purpose meets performance and leadership becomes a lived experience.
THE CHALLENGE
Many leadership programs lack urgency, avoid risk, and fail to connect with the real challenges leaders face in a fast‑changing world.
Talented leaders expect more:
- • Chances to grow quickly and lead boldly
- • Work that creates real impact beyond profit
- • Experiences that prepare them for uncertainty, diversity, and change
Organizations need leaders who are entrepreneurial, globally minded, and purpose-driven-leaders who are ready to shape the future, not just respond to it.
Leadership for Impact closes this gap with a bold, experiential journey that transforms both leaders and the communities they serve.
A 6-MONTH IMPACT JOURNEY
The program combines self-awareness with high-stakes collaboration in emerging markets. The result is leaders equipped for today's complexity and tomorrow's opportunities.
Pre-Work & Assessment (Months 1-2)
Leadership Circle Profile:
360° feedback to reveal leadership strengths and growth areas.
Bodyguard HRV Device:
A 7-day energy and stress tracking tool to build resilience.
Readiness Interview:
One-on-one sessions to confirm motivation and mindset.
Preparation Phase (Months 2-3)
Virtual Onboarding & Team Building:
Teams meet, align on purpose, and start cultural and market immersion.
Challenge Briefing:
Each team receives a real business or social challenge in an emerging market.
Field Experience (Month 4)
Immersive 1-Week Journey:
Participants travel to markets such as India or East Africa.
High-Stakes Collaboration:
Teams partner with local NGOs, entrepreneurs, or business units to solve a live social-impact challenge-no simulations, only real impact.
Final Reflection & Sharing:
Teams present solutions, share insights, and define what to bring back to the business.
Integration & Coaching (Months 5-6)
Team Sharing & Organizational Integration:
Teams present their learnings, impact stories, and business opportunities to senior stakeholders to create momentum for change.
Individual Coaching:
Each participant has two post-trip coaching sessions to apply insights to their leadership.
LeadUp Platform for Follow-Through:
Participants track goals and commitments on the platform to ensure accountability and sustained growth.
Program Impact
Accelerated Leadership Development
Develop critical leadership skills through real-world challenges that test decision-making, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking.
Measurable Social
Impact
Create tangible positive change in communities while building your organization's reputation and stakeholder relationships.
Enhanced Team Collaboration
Build stronger cross-functional relationships and improve team dynamics through shared purpose and collaborative problem-solving.
Business Results
Demonstrate clear ROI through improved employee engagement, enhanced brand reputation, and stronger stakeholder relationships.
Global Perspective
Develop cultural competency and global mindset through exposure to diverse communities and international development challenges.
Continuous Learning
Access to ongoing resources, peer networks, and advanced modules to continue leadership development beyond the initial program.
Success Stories
Microsoft: Tech Hubs in India and Kenya
LeadUp partnered with Microsoft to design a flagship Leadership for Impact program, bringing together 60 leaders from the Finance Division across Denmark, India, the US, and the Middle East. Over the course of three projects, each lasting four months, cross‑functional teams collaborated with the NGO Periamma to set up fully equipped tech hubs at three schools, giving 2,500 students access to Wi‑Fi, computers, and Microsoft software. The hubs were integrated into the school curriculum, ensuring long‑term sustainability and real educational outcomes.
The initiative became a catalyst for change inside Microsoft. Its success inspired the Global CFO to champion the concept globally, enabling finance teams worldwide to launch similar social impact projects. The program delivered measurable business value and profound personal growth: 50% of participants described it as the most rewarding experience of their careers – a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to grow as leaders while driving meaningful, lasting impact.
Novartis: Health Improvement in India
LeadUp partnered with Novartis to design The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, sending 30 senior talents to rural India for 30 days to address critical healthcare challenges. Working closely with local doctors, nurses, and community leaders, cross‑functional teams engaged with over 100 villages to raise awareness about preventable diseases and the importance of basic medicines. Together, they created health campaigns, workshops, and initiatives that empowered families to access the treatments they needed to stay healthy.
The program became a catalyst for change inside Novartis. Its success showed how hands‑on leadership development can deliver both business value and social impact, inspiring leaders to think and act with greater purpose. Most participants described it as a career‑defining experience that profoundly shaped their approach to leadership and health challenges – a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to grow while making meaningful, lasting impact.
Develop leaders the World needs now
Partner with us to create Leadership for Impact in your organization
A RESEARCH REPORT