Building Strength at the Frontline
Develop Accountable Managers Who Inspire Teams and Drive Results
Dr. Vince Molinaro, Tess Reimann and Lauren Kowalchuk
It’s time to rethink leadership development for frontline managers. Organizations rely on these leaders to execute strategy, drive engagement, and lead teams effectively. Yet, most frontline managers receive little to no development, leading to high failure rates. This eBook explores the challenges and presents a roadmap for building strong, accountable managers who deliver results.
The Need for Effective Leadership Development Has Never Been More Urgent
Frontline managers are the backbone of organizations, making up 50-75% of leadership roles and overseeing up to 80% of employees. However, many struggle due to lack of support:
- 82% of new managers receive minimal development, often feeling like “accidental managers.”
- 70% of frontline managers want leadership training, yet organizations fail to meet this demand.
- 60% of new managers fail within the first 24 months due to inadequate support.
Organizations must prioritize frontline leadership development to drive business success.

The big idea
We need great frontline leaders—but most leadership development programs fail to deliver value. For leadership development to be effective, it must be connected to business strategy and tailored to the realities frontline managers face.
The risk and opportunity
Many leadership development efforts fail due to ineffective approaches. Organizations that avoid these traps and take a strategic approach will develop stronger, more accountable leaders who drive better outcomes.
The way forward
Leadership development for frontline managers must be systematic, specific, connected, and sustained. The Accountable Manager™ program is designed to provide frontline managers with a structured and impactful development experience.
Unleash Your Frontline Managers
- Increased clarity and commitment about leadership expectations
- A stronger sense of community among leaders
- A consistent leadership experience for employees
- Improved cross-functional collaboration
- Faster identification and support for struggling leaders
- A stronger pipeline for future leadership roles