Case Study
Turning insight into inspiration through MBTI®-based leadership development in a dispersed workforce
Challenge
Equipping emerging leaders with stronger communication skills across a geographically dispersed company.
VersaCold, Canada’s largest supply-chain company specializing in temperature-sensitive foods, employs 2,600 people across a vast geographic footprint. As the organization grew, so did the challenge of maintaining consistent leadership quality and communication effectiveness across remote teams.
For leaders working in different regions and time zones, the most persistent challenges included effective delegation, teamwork, and conflict resolution. These issues, all rooted in communication, demanded a structured solution that could scale across locations while still addressing individual development needs.
Solution
Developing Leaders with MBTI® Step II™ Coaching.
To build a stronger internal leadership pipeline, VersaCold launched a year-long development program targeting supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders. Led by Learning and Development Specialist Sam Smith, the program combined MBTI® Step II™ coaching, online learning modules, and a regional capstone workshop. The coaching component was central to the program’s success—each participant was paired with a certified MBTI practitioner and joined by their direct manager in joint sessions. Both parties took the MBTI assessment to better understand their preferences and how they interact in the workplace. This dual involvement helped strengthen communication, align leadership styles, and improve collaboration. The MBTI Step II tool proved especially powerful in deepening self-awareness and equipping participants with personalised strategies to communicate more intentionally and lead more effectively. Smith noted, “The MBTI assessment addresses our big need for communication,” reinforcing the tool’s value in aligning leadership behaviours with team dynamics.
Key Programme Elements:
- One-year leadership development program for managers and high-potentials
- Three pillars: MBTI® Step II™ coaching, online courses, and regional workshop
- Included joint coaching sessions with employees and their direct managers
- MBTI used to enhance communication and leadership alignment
- Strengthened self-awareness, team collaboration, and leadership capacity
Results
Improved engagement, reduced resistance to change, and more visible leadership behaviors.
Since its inception in 2006, the program has produced several hundred graduates. Its long-term impact is carefully tracked through manager feedback, follow-up calls, and participant presentations at the final workshop. Smith observes that the most meaningful transformation often comes from increased self-awareness and subtle behavioral shifts.
One participant adopted a more influence-oriented leadership style to better navigate unionized environments. Another made a point of showing daily gratitude to team members, resulting in improved visibility and trust. These small but powerful changes contributed to more open, communicative teams.
Manager feedback confirms the program’s effectiveness: “There’s unanimous agreement. Attitudes are improved. People are more open, less resistant to change. People are more engaged.”
Download the full case study