What is "local context" in the workplace?

Local context refers to the elements in an employee's immediate work setting that are controlled by their supervisor. These elements, such as supervisory support and engagement, directly influence employee behavior and development.

Why are supervisors critical for leadership development?

Supervisors are critical because they control the "local context" of the work environment. For leadership development to be effective, it must include the supervisor's active support and engagement as an intentional part of the process.

What is Phase Five Leadership Development?

Phase Five Leadership Development is an approach where a supervisor takes an active and supportive role, acting as a steward of their employee's development process rather than being a passive observer.

The Supervisor's Role in Leadership Development

The Critical Role of Context in Leadership Development

The success of leadership development initiatives is not determined in a vacuum; it is inevitably shaped by the on-the-job context. This includes all elements of a work and organizational setting that influence an employee's behavior and growth.

Defining "Local Context"

Within the broader organizational environment, the most impactful elements are often those in the immediate work setting controlled by an employee's direct supervisor. We refer to this as the "local context." It is this immediate environment that has the most significant day-to-day influence on an individual's development.

The Supervisor as a Steward of Development

To be effective, leadership development programs must therefore explicitly account for this local context. This requires incorporating supervisory support and engagement as an intentional part of the development process.

We advocate for a model of Phase Five Leadership Development, where the supervisor moves beyond a passive role. In this approach, the supervisor acts as an active and supportive steward of the entire development process, ensuring that on-the-job learning is nurtured and supported. This model is the culmination of an evolution in supervisory involvement that has passed through five distinct phases over the past 75 years.

Best Practice Institute

Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

The Workplace Report

The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.

Stewardship for Supervisors