January 15, 2025

Nine-month ASCEND mentorship program delivers exceptional outcomes for high-potential directors, earning near-perfect 9.5/10 recommendation score and 100% measurable improvement rate.

A major regional airline partnered with Piercing Strategies to accelerate the development of fourteen high-potential directors through our signature ASCEND mentorship program, achieving outstanding results that exceeded organizational expectations.

Strategic Leadership Development Initiative

Succession planning had identified growth opportunities in the organization’s future senior leaders that needed strengthening to ensure long-term operational excellence and sustainable growth. The airline recognized that investing in strategic leadership development would be critical for maintaining their competitive position and organizational continuity.

The ASCEND Approach

We designed and delivered ASCEND, our signature nine-month mentorship program, providing a comprehensive development experience through five key components:

• Individualized Leadership Assessments — Comprehensive evaluations to identify specific growth areas for each participant
• Strategic Mentor Pairing — Carefully matched high-potential directors with senior executives who could guide their development
• Structured Monthly Mentoring — Regular touchpoints to ensure consistent progress and relationship building
• Targeted Skill Development — Focus on specific competencies identified through assessments
• Continuous Goal Tracking — Ongoing measurement and adjustment throughout the nine-month journey

Exceptional Results Achieved

Our comprehensive approach drove exceptional outcomes that exceeded expectations:

• 83% of mentors rated the program “Excellent” — Demonstrating strong engagement and value for senior leaders
• 100% of mentees showed measurable improvement in their selected growth areas
• 78% of participants exceeded their development goals — Going beyond initial expectations
• 9.5/10 recommendation score — A near-perfect rating indicating exceptional program satisfaction and impact

Transforming Leadership Capabilities

The program successfully strengthened the airline’s leadership bench, ensuring they have capable leaders ready to step into critical roles as the organization grows and evolves. Mentees not only developed targeted skills but also built lasting relationships with senior leaders who continue to support their growth.