M12 is Microsoft’s venture capital arm, tasked with identifying and investing in high-potential startups. As a dynamic and fast-paced organization, M12 has a diverse workforce spanning individual contributors, middle management, and senior leadership. To maintain its competitive edge and foster innovation, M12 sought to build leadership capacity across all levels of the organization.
The challenge
M12 needed to develop leadership skills and support the growth of new managers at various stages of their careers. With employees at different levels of the organization, M12 needed a scalable and cost-effective program that could deliver personalized growth opportunities to help employees transition smoothly into leadership roles and enhance their leadership capabilities over time.
The partnership with Growthspace
To meet these objectives, M12 partnered with Growthspace to implement a tailored leadership development program. Growthspace provided M12 with a strategic approach that offered personalized coaching and skill development tailored to the unique needs of each participant. This partnership allowed M12 to create a scalable solution that supported leadership growth across the organization.
Program details
The leadership development program at M12 featured:
Focus: Strengthening leadership skills and developing new managers across all levels of the organization.
Target Audience: Individual contributors, middle management, and leadership.
Duration: Self-paced over 4-5 months per cohort.
Type: 1:1 skill development and manager-led sessions.
This comprehensive approach ensured that employees at every stage of their careers received personalized coaching, regardless of their position within the company. The program was designed to foster leadership growth in a way that aligned with M12’s unique organizational structure and culture.
Impact and results
The partnership with Growthspace proved to be a valuable investment for M12:
92% of participants reported that the growth sprints enabled them to meet their professional development goals.
Employees at all levels benefited from personalized coaching, resulting in improved leadership skills and accelerated adaptation to their roles.
Oriana Spalding, COO of M12, highlighted the program’s accessibility and impact: “This was an amazing opportunity to give coaching to a broad mass of people. The cost was at such a great price point that we were able to offer this personalized attention to our more junior members.”
The ability to offer personalized development at scale had a profound effect on M12’s workforce, leading to stronger leadership, increased employee satisfaction, and a more engaged and capable team.
Fostering leadership growth and success at M12
M12’s partnership with Growthspace enabled the company to implement an effective and scalable leadership development solution across its global workforce. By providing personalized, AI-driven coaching, M12 empowered employees at every level to grow and succeed in their roles. This investment in leadership development not only strengthened the skills of its workforce but also contributed to M12’s overall success by fostering a culture of continuous growth and improvement.
To learn more about M12‘s experience with Growthspace, watch the video below:
