Using data-driven workshops to inspire Novanta’s leaders
The workshops delivered by Mindtools were specifically designed to address Novanta's unique requirements
The Challenge
Novanta, a leading global supplier of technology solutions for the medical, life science, bioprocessing, and advanced industrial OEM sectors, partnered with Mindtools to close the gap between managers’ potential and their performance.
The goal: enhance Novanta’s leadership curriculum (LEAD) to inspire leaders who embody the company’s culture, while developing assertive managers who take ownership of their leadership responsibilities and demonstrate accountability.
Novanta asked Mindtools to provide a customized version of our evidenced-based management development program. This took the form of two workshops that would improve key internal metrics, ultimately improving manager retention, company performance and productivity.
The Solution
Mindtools used data-driven insights to tailor existing skills workshops around twelve capabilities essential for modern managers.
First, the Insights team partnered with Novanta’s senior Leadership Development team to map out the Management Skills Assessment (MSA) onto Novanta’s existing evaluation framework and processes. The program was introduced to leadership cohorts through targeted virtual sessions.
Leaders then completed the MSA, gaining clear, data-driven insights into their strengths and development areas across the twelve capabilities. The Mindtools Insights team facilitated cohort-specific review sessions to explore the findings in detail.
These insights guided the design and adaptation of the skills workshops, resulting in two focused four-hour virtual sessions targeting the six capabilities identified as most critical for meaningful impact.
Workshop 1: Built trust, empathy, and recognition skills through practical activities relevant to Novanta’s global workforce.
Workshop 2: Strengthened team-building capabilities, with an emphasis on goal-setting and coaching.
Both workshops embedded principles of inclusive leadership and included hands-on exercises for real-world application.
Participants received workbooks designed to support practice, skill application, and serve as a record to inform their development plans. Facilitator guides offered a complete, step-by-step resource to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of the workshops.
The Results
The impact so far:
Follow-up application sessions are giving participants the chance to reinforce their learning and stay accountable to their personal development goals. Senior leaders have joined these sessions as both participants and guest speakers, boosting buy-in across the organization.
“The Management Skills Assessment has given the LEAD program participants a good idea of their current level of development across the 12 skills being measured.
The workshops delivered by Mindtools were specifically designed to address the gaps that appeared in the assessments and support the participants in developing the skills they need to be better able to perform their roles.
The participants were happy that the workshops were very interactive with purpose designed exercises and relevant scenarios, and that the facilitator was able to lead discussions between the participants and that they could share best practices with each other.”
Trevor Smith, Leadership Development Senior Manager, Novanta
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