By 
Standardizing Leadership Across Air Canada
Air Canada's "Elevate" program has been recognized by the Brandon Hall Group with a Gold HCM Excellence Award in the Best Leadership Development Program category. The award highlights the airline's success in scaling leadership potential through a structured mix of learning experiences and professional tools.
The program was not developed in isolation; it was built directly from employee feedback. This ensures that the leadership framework addresses actual operational gaps and meets the specific needs of the airline's diverse workforce.
Strategic Objectives of the Elevate Framework
The primary goal of Elevate is to instill a consistent leadership language and approach across all levels of the organization. By removing silos in management styles, Air Canada aims to create a more predictable and supportive environment for its staff.
The program focuses on three core pillars:
- Practical Toolkits: Providing managers with immediate, applicable resources for daily operations.
- Experiential Learning: Using real-world scenarios to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Continuous Reflection: Encouraging leaders to evaluate their impact on team performance and employee morale.
Driving Organizational Performance
According to Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs at Air Canada, the program is rooted in the belief that strong leadership is the primary driver of workforce engagement.
The initiative is designed to help managers inspire their teams and implement effective solutions to operational challenges. By strengthening these internal capabilities, the airline intends to foster an environment where employees can maximize their productivity and professional growth.
The Brandon Hall Group grants these awards to organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes through human capital management (HCM) practices, signaling that Elevate has produced tangible improvements in how Air Canada manages its people.
Key Takeaways
- Award Win: Air Canada received a Gold HCM Excellence Award from the Brandon Hall Group.
- Category: Best Leadership Development Program.
- Origin: The Elevate program was developed based on direct employee feedback.
- Goal: To create a unified leadership framework that drives performance and employee engagement across the airline.
- Methodology: A blend of practical tools, real-world experiences, and self-reflection.
FAQ
What is the Elevate program? Elevate is Air Canada’s internal leadership development initiative designed to standardize management capabilities and provide leaders with a shared framework for supporting their teams.
Who recognized the program? The Brandon Hall Group, an organization that honors impactful human capital management (HCM) strategies and solutions.
How was the program developed? Air Canada created Elevate by synthesizing employee feedback to ensure the program addressed the actual needs of the workforce.
