Empowering Our Leaders To Reach Their Full Potential
National Grid's ability to deliver for customers, communities, and the energy transition depends on leaders who can inspire teams, navigate complexity, and make confident decisions. We are committed to empowering our leaders to reach their full potential and positively influence their teams and the company.
Insights from our employee engagement survey and stakeholder workshops highlighted a need for a structured internal leadership development pathway for Band C managers, our middle management population who balance the day-to-day demands of leading their teams with the needs of executive leadership. Key priorities that emerged for this programme include inspiring communication, leading through change, decision making, and delegation.
In response, Leading@Grid was launched as a dynamic leadership development programme tailored to Band C leaders. Its core purpose is to elevate leadership capabilities, empowering participants to thrive in guiding the organisation through significant changes.
The 6-8 week programme brings together 40 participants per cohort, half from the UK and half from the US. It includes:
- A 360-degree assessment of individual strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
- Personalised coaching debriefs for each participant
- A three-day in person residential
- A virtual simulation exercise on stakeholder management
- Virtual masterclasses
In partnership with Hult Ashridge Business School, National Grid is delivering an exceptional experience that cultivates influential and forward-thinking leaders. Cohort One completed the programme in xx and due to exceptionally strong demand, there are a further 3 cohorts planned for 2026.
Feedback from the first cohort has been highly positive, and the programme has a net promoter score of 91. The programme is already enhancing alignment between UK and US leadership behaviours and strengthening National Grid's internal talent pipeline.
One participant reflected on their experience:
This was a great training and I'm appreciative to have been given the opportunity. This won't just train me, but it will allow me to train my entire team to be better for many years to come. Great programme and I took a lot out of it that I am already practising.
In the future, Leading@Grid will be exploring opportunities to expand cohort numbers, increase participant capacity, and refine content based on organisational needs. The programme will continue to equip Band C leaders with the capabilities required to guide their teams effectively and support National Grid's mission in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. The scheme is already enhancing alignment between UK and US leadership behaviours and strengthening National Grid's internal talent pipeline.