Human Resource Managers Need Leadership Development Too: How General Electric Partnered with Abilitie to Create a New Standard of HR Leadership

In the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of today’s business world, HR leaders are facing new challenges that demand a rich array of soft skills. As technology and A.I. continue to advance and economic uncertainties persist, the role of HR leaders has never been more vital in driving growth and scalability for companies across the globe.

Modern HR leaders are dynamic individuals who must possess a diverse skill set of soft skills, including cross-functional collaboration, communication abilities, financial literacy, and a keen understanding of overall business operations. They are at the forefront of shaping organizational effectiveness and ensuring talent retention and effective people management.

To stay ahead in this competitive environment, companies must prioritize investing in the development of their HR leaders’ business acumen. By nurturing and empowering these key individuals, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce, foster talent retention, and ultimately drive overall success in the face of various challenges.

In 2020, General Electric (GE) integrated Abilitie’s Business Challenge simulation to bring their enhanced Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP) to the virtual world. This newly enhanced program was named a “Best Use of Games and Simulation for Learning” honoree in the Brandon Hall Group’s 2020 Excellence Award for Human Capital Management program. Traditionally, the program has been delivered in an in-person modality, but it was important to GE to transfer the seamless experience to a virtual format with a myriad of engagement tools and dashboards.

GE Program director Imola Richards said, “We wanted to prove to our talent who were skeptical about the virtual space that learning events in the digital space can have impact, be meaningful and entertaining. For that, having a simulation was absolutely critical. The Abilitie program was a cornerstone of our plans to turn around learner experience in the virtual world. People have seen success, so their approach to learning has adapted.”