In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, leadership development is more crucial than ever. However, traditional leadership training often falls short by focusing too much on theory and not enough on real-world application. This is where SkillsGym, a leadership development company founded by Sarah Cherif, is making a significant difference. With a groundbreaking approach that emphasizes habit-building over short-term inspiration, SkillsGym has redefined how leaders grow, thrive, and lead with impact.
At the core of SkillsGym’s philosophy is the belief that leadership is not just about acquiring knowledge or skills but about embedding the right behaviors into daily routines. The company’s flagship programs, such as The Leadership Habit and The Conversation Habit, have been implemented across more than 100 organizations globally, with over 100,000 leaders participating. These programs have earned SkillsGym recognition from prestigious clients such as IKEA, Samsung, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, and Euroclear. What makes SkillsGym stand apart is its unwavering focus on helping leaders move beyond understanding leadership concepts to embedding leadership habits that stick.
“Most leadership training programs focus on awareness and skills — but real leadership happens when the right actions become second nature,” explains Sarah Cherif, founder and leadership expert at SkillsGym. “Leadership isn’t about one-time workshops or motivational speeches. It’s about developing the habits that make leadership effortless and sustainable over time.”
SkillsGym’s approach directly addresses a key gap in traditional leadership programs. While many organizations invest in training programs that provide leaders with useful insights, the skills often don’t translate into lasting behavioral change. Leaders may return from a workshop energized but struggle to put their new knowledge into practice. This is where SkillsGym excels by taking a deeper, more practical approach: turning leadership into a daily routine.
The company’s programs focus on small, manageable leadership habits that integrate easily into leaders’ daily tasks, making it easier for them to develop effective leadership practices without overwhelming themselves. SkillsGym’s habit-based model works because it’s grounded in the science of behavior change. Research shows that small, consistent actions, when repeated over time, lead to long-term success. For example, the practice of holding regular, meaningful conversations with team members can help foster trust, drive engagement, and improve performance. These small but significant actions have a ripple effect on overall organizational culture and productivity.
In addition to its focus on small, everyday leadership habits, SkillsGym’s approach is also deeply rooted in measurable results. Unlike traditional training programs that often fail to show tangible impacts, SkillsGym’s clients track and measure the improvements in key leadership KPIs such as employee engagement, retention, and performance. This evidence-based approach has led to lasting relationships with global brands who rely on SkillsGym to build enduring leadership strength within their organizations.
SkillsGym’s reputation as a trusted leadership partner is reflected in its long-term collaborations with leading companies around the world. “We’ve been partnering with SkillsGym for over 20 years to help our leaders build strong, lasting habits that support our company’s long-term success,” says Katrien Driessen, HR Manager at IKEA. “Their focus on practical, everyday actions has helped our leaders stay grounded and effective, no matter how fast the business world changes.”
In addition to its partnerships with industry giants, SkillsGym’s work has earned it a prominent place on the global stage. The company has been invited to present its innovative approach at major international conferences, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Conference. These opportunities have helped establish SkillsGym as a thought leader in the field of leadership development, allowing the company to share its insights with thousands of professionals worldwide.
SkillsGym’s success is also evident in the testimonials from clients who have seen positive transformations in their leadership practices. Inge Diels, Talent Director at Deloitte, shares, “SkillsGym’s approach helped our leaders improve their conversations and collaboration. It’s a simple shift, but the impact has been significant.” Similarly, Peter Quaghebeur, CEO of Mediafin, says, “I trust SkillsGym to help develop our leaders, and they’ve been with me every step of the way in my leadership journey.”
These comments highlight the significance of SkillsGym’s approach: leadership is a journey that requires continuous development, practice, and support. By focusing on daily actions rather than one-off training sessions, SkillsGym helps leaders cultivate the habits necessary to navigate challenges and drive their organizations forward.
A critical aspect of SkillsGym’s philosophy is that leadership success doesn’t come from working harder or longer hours. Instead, it comes from working smarter by building habits that make leadership feel more natural and less daunting. “The best leaders don’t have more hours in the day,” says Cherif. “They simply operate from a different mindset and the right habits, which make leadership feel effortless.”
SkillsGym’s programs are designed to help leaders make three key shifts in their approach to leadership: a mindset shift, a skillset shift, and most importantly, a habit shift. This holistic approach ensures that leaders aren’t just learning new skills, but also adopting the mindset and behaviors that make those skills sustainable over time.
This transformative approach is evident in the results SkillsGym has delivered for its clients. Leaders who participate in SkillsGym programs often report improvements in decision-making, team management, and driving business outcomes, as tracked by measurable leadership KPIs. For example, Kevin Coppetiers, HR Manager at Boortmalt, comments, “SkillsGym helped us build the leadership habits that are crucial for our company’s success. We’ve seen a marked improvement in engagement and performance as a result.”
Ultimately, SkillsGym’s success lies in its ability to bridge the gap between leadership knowledge and practical, real-world impact. By focusing on habit-building, SkillsGym helps leaders move from knowing what to do to consistently doing it, turning leadership into a daily practice that leads to lasting results.
In conclusion, SkillsGym’s innovative approach to leadership development is helping companies and individuals alike realize the true potential of leadership. By focusing on the power of small, consistent habits, SkillsGym is reshaping how leaders are trained and developed, ensuring that leadership is not just a concept but a practice that leads to sustainable growth and success.
For more information, visit SkillsGym’s website or follow SkillsGym on LinkedIn.
About SkillsGym: SkillsGym is a global leadership development company that helps individuals and organizations turn leadership into a daily practice. With over two decades of experience, SkillsGym’s habit-based programs are designed to help leaders build sustainable leadership skills that drive measurable business outcomes. The company has worked with more than 100,000 leaders across over 100 organizations, including IKEA, Deloitte, Samsung, and Euroclear.
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Website: www.skillsgym.com
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Sarah Cherif: LinkedIn Profile
