Leadership scenarios: what are they?

Leadership Scenarios are realistic, thought-provoking online situations that mirror the complexity and ambiguity of real leadership challenges. Each scenario asks participants to consider several possible responses and rate their confidence in each choice. This unique combination reveals not just what leaders know, but how confidently they can apply that knowledge in practice.

Our series of 100+ scenarios cover typical and difficult leadership challenges and is regularly updated. We also provide tailored scenarios focusing on specific customer priorities.

What they can do for you

Leadership Scenarios are powerful, flexible tools that bring leadership capability to life. They combine the realism of workplace challenges with the analytical precision organisations need to measure, develop and prove leadership effectiveness.

They can be used:

To measure impact

To measure impact

Assessing capability and confidence before and after leadership programmes, demonstrating the ROI and effectiveness of L&D investments.

As a development tool

As a development tool

Enabling individuals to explore complex, 'messy' real-world situations, test different responses safely and learn what great decisions look like.

To personalise learning

To personalise learning

Providing each leader with tailored feedback that highlights strengths, development areas and next-step actions.

To map organisational capability

To map organisational capability

Giving a clear view of strengths and development needs across teams, functions and cohorts.

They also work:

As a robust assessment tool for succession planning and talent identification.

As a complement to leadership programmes, 1:1 coaching and mentoring, reinforcing reflection and application. 

To measure the impact of leadership development and ensure ongoing improvement.

To introduce the rigour required for compliance in regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and energy, where consistent, evidence-based assessment is essential.

Scenario assessments combine behavioural insight with organisational rigour, ensuring learning translates into measurable competence, confidence and compliance.

Results are evidence-based and data-driven. Usually, 20% of employees perform strongly, 50% have knowledge gaps, and 30% show misplaced confidence, offering clear direction for development.

Expert Leader: our partner in leadership development

Expert Leader is an AI-powered leadership learning platform that helps organisations develop and support leaders at every level.

Through our partnership, Cogniscoʼs behavioural insights are combined with personalised, adaptive learning to create leadership development that is fast, relevant and measurable.

What this means for your organisation:

Seamless integration of Cognisco scenario insights into tailored learning journeys

Clear measurement of leadership growth and programme ROI

Ongoing development through AI coaching, immersive games and curated content

The impact?

More confident leaders, stronger teams and real business results.

Together, we accelerate leadership capability, building future-ready leaders who can perform when it matters most.

Organisations choose from a comprehensive series of 100 scenarios covering 10 essential business and leadership topics.

 

Scenarios are available with optional levels of customization. As an enhancement to the standard scenarios organisations can choose Company and industry customisation or Full customisation reflecting the customer’s company culture, business and needs.

Individuals can also choose to receive expert 1:1 feedback and coaching on the implications and priorities of their personal online assessment.

To request additional information or to find out more, please get in touch.

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  • Mastering the Essentials of Business Management
  • Navigating and Shaping the Future
  • Mastering Strategic Thinking
  • Succeeding With Sales, Customers and Revenue-Generation
  • Leading Transformation and Change
  • Developing Operational Effectiveness and Delivering Results
  • Developing Personal Effectiveness
  • Developing Talent and Teams
  • Succeeding in Times of Crisis, Challenge and Change
  • Coaching and Developing World-Class Performance
Test drive our demo assessment to see how we can launch custom scenarios in your environment.
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