New book by Malta-based Maria Loumpourdi unveils a blueprint for developing leaders from within

This month, Maria Loumpourdi, the Global Head of Talent Development at Betsson Group, is set to release her highly anticipated book, Leaders Made from Within: The Blueprint for Developing Leadership in Individuals and Organisations. Drawing on her doctoral research at the University of Glasgow, Dr Loumpourdi offers a fresh perspective on leadership development—one grounded in practical, evidence-based strategies that aim to address a common frustration faced by many companies today: how to achieve leadership objectives despite significant investments in development programs.

Dr Loumpourdi was driven to write the book by a passion for helping individuals evolve into leaders who can make meaningful contributions both to their organisations and to the people they manage. Reflecting on her experiences across industries, she states, "Leadership development isn’t a one-size-fits-all process—it requires a tailored approach."

Her research at the University of Glasgow revealed why so many leadership initiatives fail despite the staggering $360 billion spent annually worldwide on leadership development programs. The issue? Many of these initiatives rely too heavily on cookie-cutter solutions that fail to address the unique needs and contexts of individual leaders and their organisations.

One of the book’s key takeaways is that effective leadership development goes beyond simply offering training sessions and workshops. "Real growth happens when leaders can apply what they learn in their actual work environment, not just in workshops," she explains.

Moreover, success comes when leadership development is fully aligned with an organisation’s culture, strategy, and goals. Without this alignment, even the most well-funded programs will not yield lasting results.

Dr Loumpourdi advocates for a more customised approach to leadership development, one that takes into account the personal and context-specific nature of leadership. She provides a concrete example of this from her work at Betsson Group, where she helped design a program that involved leaders in identifying their own learning needs. This tailored program led to heightened engagement and improved leadership performance, as reflected in the company’s internal surveys.

Her book also provides valuable insights for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have large budgets for leadership development. Dr Loumpourdi encourages SMEs to adopt cost-effective strategies, such as peer mentoring and internal leadership programs. She asserts that leadership development does not have to be expensive—what matters most is that it is intentional and aligned with the company’s specific challenges and goals.

Beyond the practical strategies outlined in Leaders Made from Within, Loumpourdi hopes readers will come away with a deep understanding of leadership as a personal journey. “Leadership development cannot be imposed or taught through a generic formula; it requires internal motivation and a tailored approach," she says. Ultimately, she aims to inspire a new wave of leaders who are committed to their own growth and to making a positive impact in their organizations and communities.

With this book, Maria Loumpourdi provides a resource for professionals in leadership development, HR, and talent management, as well as CEOs of small to medium-sized companies, offering actionable advice on how to foster leadership from within. As organisations across the globe grapple with leadership challenges, Leaders Made from Within could well become an essential guide for those looking to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.