Syngenta

Need:

Syngenta was created in 2000 by the marriage of the Novartis agribusiness and the AstraZeneca agrochemicals business. The resulting entity brought together expertise from both organizations—as well as a hodgepodge of perspectives, leadership styles, and processes. The new organization had additional challenges. A highly flexible matrix organization, members of cross-functional teams often were required to do work for multiple supervisors, not just their immediate manager. What’s more, Syngenta was facing a changing marketplace, requiring a more sophisticated approaches to sales and customer service.

Syngenta realized it needed to establish a common organizational culture and to bolster its leaders’ so they could perform effectively in the matrix structure, navigate and embody the emerging culture, and succeed in the challenging new business environment.

Solution:

To build the foundation for a new leadership culture, the company established the “Syngenta Way,” an organizational culture model that included a leadership model and leadership competencies. It also created a program called “DNA,” which spelled out the new organizational values, the company’s history, and its future ambitions. First-level leaders were targeted because they have day-to-day contact with customers, lead customer-facing teams, and have daily exposure to all Syngenta employees.

Syngenta partnered with DDI to build a four-day strategic Leadership Skills Development (LSD) program that focused on developing critical strategic leadership skills. The program includes modules that are facilitated in a classroom setting, guest speakers, instructor-led coaching on a 360° instrument, and one-on-one phone-based coaching provided by DDI. Leaders also have access to DDI’s multirater assessment tool, Leadership Mirror®, to gather feedback from their supervisors, coworkers, and team members and pinpoint their strengths and development opportunities. They also can access OPAL®, DDI’s online performance and learning system that provides coaching and tips for dealing with specific job situations.

Results:

To date hundreds of leaders from Syngenta’s North American headquarters; biotech research and production facilities; and sales regions have completed the DNA and LSD programs. In addition, the programs have been delivered at various international locations, including France, Brazil, and Korea. Leaders completing the LSD program improved their ratings 25 to 33 percent in key leadership areas.