How Leadership Training Strengthened ASTM International's Decade-Long Emerging Professionals Program

Challenge 

Ten years ago, ASTM International launched an ambitious vision: to cultivate the next generation of technical leaders who would drive innovation in standards development. Today, that vision has exceeded all expectations.

ASTM International recognized that for their industry to sustain, grow and stay innovative, they needed to cultivate the emerging leaders in the field and give them the resources, community and confidence to have a say and build momentum for their contributions.

ASTM launched the EP program in 2015 to create a comprehensive development approach that would empower emerging professionals to drive innovation and lead the next generation of technical excellence. 

They wanted to empower members from around the world to become transformational industry and committee leaders.

Solution

Three years into the EP program's existence, ASTM partnered with McKinley Advisors to create a high-impact leadership training that accelerates leadership development for EP program participants. 

The partnership has delivered measurable results in participant satisfaction, leadership development and strategic outcomes.

McKinley's role centers on leadership training, which builds the specific capabilities emerging professionals need to drive innovation within ASTM's technical committees.

Program Structure

• During ASTM's committee weeks, McKinley facilitates leadership workshops which allows participants to immediately apply leadership concepts and showcase their personal brand in real committee environments.
• Interactive exercises develop core competencies: influence, communication, consensus-building.
• Virtual post-sessions introduce CliftonStrengths exploration. These touchpoints advance the learning foundation and networking for participants. 

A cornerstone of McKinley's facilitation approach is the emphasis on CliftonStrengths assessments. Rather than simply administering the assessment, McKinley facilitators help participants understand their unique strengths and how to apply them within ASTM's collaborative framework. 

This strengths-based approach builds authentic confidence and provides participants with concrete tools for professional contribution.

Throughout the program, McKinley facilitators focus on developing influencing capabilities that extend beyond superficial connections. Participants learn how to build meaningful professional relationships across committees and industries, creating the cross-pollination of ideas that drives innovation in technical standards development.

Outcomes

McKinley's facilitation approach has accelerated ASTM's leadership development and strengthened the EP program. Members learn to combine their strengths with leadership skills and strategic networking, discovering their unique value and how to leverage it.

Participants transform from observers to active contributors in technical committee meetings, with ongoing career advancement and industry impact.

Since launching ten years ago, ASTM's EP program has delivered measurable results in reach, scale, leadership development and innovation.

EP Program Reach & Scale:

• 397 EP graduates across 34 workshops
• 24 countries represented with 400+ global members engaged
• 82% of ASTM's 146 committees represented
• 119 technical committees with EP participation

Leadership Development Impact:

• 235 graduates now in leadership positions (59% success rate)
• 637 work items registered by EP alumni
• 61 awards earned by program participants
• 2 past EPs served on Committee on Technical Committee Operations, with 1 now on the Board of Directors

• 33 ILS (Interlaboratory Study) programs registered by EP graduates
• 2 international workshops hosted in Singapore and Brussels

Ready to build comprehensive leadership capabilities for your members, staff or board? Contact us to discover how leadership training and CliftonStrengths coaching can develop the skills your next generation needs to lead.