The Challenge

Many organizations are noticing the lack of engineering talent capable of stepping into leadership roles in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

In fact, engineering executives estimate that when relatively unseasoned engineers run their first team or project, nearly 80% fail to satisfy all of the project’s critical requirements – either missing on functionality, performance, quality, time-to-market, cost, or other key objectives.

What causes this shortfall?

The Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership (GIEL) was founded on the belief that a fundamental disconnect exists between industry needs and the output of contemporary engineering education. Young engineers enter the workforce without critical skills related to:

  • Competitiveness
  • Taking responsibility to prevent failure
  • Market and customer focus
  • Influencing and motivating skills
  • Interdisciplinary decision and teamwork capability
  • Simultaneous optimization of all elements of performance, quality, cost and timing
  • “Front loading” the engineering process
  • Financial acumen
  • “Big picture” engineering
  • Leadership abilities and organizational social awareness
  • Enterprise understanding
  • Program Management tools and processes
  • Designing to avoid failure modes
  • Designing for lean manufacture

GIEL exists to meet this rising demand. By closing the “gaps” between industry needs and the output of engineering education, GIEL accelerates the development of high-potential engineers and prepares them to successfully lead complex projects earlier in their careers.

The Mission

The mission of The Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership is to create an elite cadre of engineering leaders who stand out from their peers in their ability to invent, innovate, and implement engineering projects from concept to market success.

These leaders will demonstrate an exceptional ability to lead engineering teams by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to influence others to achieve their collective goals.

The Method

To close the “gaps” and realize its mission, GIEL concentrates on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that reside at the intersection of engineering and leadership.

Gordon Fellows acquire these essential capabilities through a concentrated curriculum of advanced leadership and technical coursework, one-on-one mentoring, and a market-worthy project based on the organization’s strategic needs.

At the end of the program, Gordon Fellows emerge with the confidence, vision, and technical dexterity to drive positive change within their organizations. To learn more, read about the GIEL Curriculum.