DDI Customer Awards
Celebrating Organizations ThatElevate Leadership.
The DDI Customer Awards honor organizations that turn leadership into real business results—strengthening people, performance, and long-term organizational growth.
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Application Process
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Award Categories
6
Award Winners
Application Status
Applications are open for 2026.
Winners will be announced at DDI's Better Leaders Summit 2026.
Jetzt bewerbenApplication Opens
June 15
Application Closes
Aug 28
Winners Announced
Nov 10
Recognition of 2025 Winners
Your Organization Could Be Next
Each year, DDI honors organizations that are advancing leadership in ways that drive meaningful business impact. From building strong leadership pipelines to delivering measurable results through innovative approaches, these awards celebrate teams making a real difference.
Has your organization created momentum, achieved standout results, or reimagined leadership development? This is your opportunity to be recognized on stage among DDI's next customer award winners.
Photo: 2025 Winners - Boulder Community Health, Arcosa Inc., State Farm, Astrion, Caterpillar Inc.
The Awards Program
Explore the Three Award Categories and Criteria
Every organization's leadership journey looks different. Our awards are designed to spotlight distinct types of achievement, so you can clearly see where your work stands out and how it can be recognized. Each award category honors two organizations: one midsize and one enterprise, ensuring impact is recognized across different scales.
High Impact Award
Proven results. Measurable business outcomes.
Recognizes organizations that have successfully translated leadership strategy into tangible business performance. This award honors sustained impact backed by clear, measurable results.
Eligibility
Open to current DDI customers who can demonstrate significant business and talent outcomes driven by leadership initiatives.
Rising Star Award
New initiatives. Rapid momentum. Early success.
Celebrates organizations that have launched a leadership initiative within the past year and are already seeing strong adoption and promising results.
Eligibility
Open to current DDI customers with newer programs showing clear progress, engagement, and early impact.
Innovation in Action Award
Bold ideas. Creative execution. Real impact.
Honors organizations that are redefining leadership development through innovative design, delivery, or strategy—and achieving measurable results along the way.
Eligibility
Open to current DDI customers using creative and forward-thinking approaches to solve business challenges and drive leadership impact.
How to Apply
We've made the process simple, focused, and worth your time. This is your opportunity to showcase the impact of your leadership initiatives and gain recognition for the results you've achieved.
What You'll Need
Prepare a clear, compelling story of your impact. Strong applications include:
- A completed application form
- A concise overview of your leadership initiative
- The business challenge and organizational context
- Evidence of results, outcomes, or momentum
- Your organization's logo
Zeitplan
Winners to be announced at DDI's Better Leader Summit 2026.
2025 Winners
Meet the 2025 Winners.
These six organizations represent what's possible when leadership strategy turns into real business impact. Across three award categories-and spanning midsize to enterprise-they demonstrate the measurable results, innovation, and momentum that define excellence in leadership.
High Impact Award
Reduced patient complaints by 10%, achieved double-digit gains in leadership capabilities, and lowered employee turnover from 29% to 20% over four years through targeted leadership development and performance management.
Mehr erfahrenHigh Impact Award
Scaled global leadership academies for 800+ emerging and frontline leaders—driving a 99% retention rate among graduates and delivering an estimated 18% performance improvement.
Mehr erfahrenRising Star Award
Launched its Leading with Purpose program, developing more than 2,000 leaders and increasing overall leadership capability by 28% in its first year.
Mehr erfahrenRising Star Award
Accelerated career growth and organizational effectiveness through its LEAD program—resulting in a 64% promotion or role change rate and a 78% boost in productivity within the first year.
Mehr erfahrenInnovation in Action Award
Redefined leadership development with the Elevate Leaders Program—blending executive-led peer learning, real-world case work, and scalable design to drive engagement, retention, and leadership effectiveness.
Mehr erfahrenInnovation in Action Award
Expanded its partnership with DDI to reach 11,000+ leaders in just three years—enhancing communication, conflict resolution, onboarding, retention, and future-readiness at scale.
Mehr erfahrenVideo
Spotlight on Past Award Winners
Watch highlights from our previous award-winner panel and hear from organizations recognized for their leadership development achievements.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Questions About the Awards Process?
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Can I apply for more than one award category?
Yes. You may submit applications for multiple categories if your initiatives qualify. You can apply for more than one award all in one form.
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What's the difference between midsize and enterprise organizations?
Midsize organizations have fewer than 5,000 employees, while enterprise organizations have 5,000 or more. Each category recognizes one winner from each group.
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Can past winners apply again?
Yes. Past winners are encouraged to reapply with new or expanded initiatives.
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What happens if we're selected?
Finalists and winners are notified in advance and recognized publicly, with winners announced and celebrated at DDI’s annual Better Leaders Summit.
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Will we receive promotional assets?
Yes. Finalists and winners receive materials to showcase their recognition.
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Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to info@ddiworld.com for support.
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Do the application questions differ by award category?
Yes, to see a preview of the questions prior to submitting your final Qualtrics, application please click here.
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Where can I see the application questions?
View the application questions in advance of submitting your application here.
Apply Today
Ready to showcase your impact?
If your organization is driving real results through leadership, this is your moment to step forward.
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