How Vanguard helps crew develop as leaders
Vanguard Crew Resource Groups (CRGs) bring crew together around shared experiences, interests, and communities while helping strengthen our culture, workforce, and business. Through these groups, crew develop leadership capabilities, build cross-functional partnerships, surface employee perspectives, contribute to talent and culture initiatives, and create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and growth.
For many crew, CRGs serve as a practical leadership laboratory, providing opportunities to influence outcomes, drive impact, and build skills long before stepping into a formal leadership role.
For Magan H. in Australia and Chad L. in North Carolina, involvement in BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership and Dialogue) helped them develop skills and confidence that extended far beyond their day-to-day roles.
Learning to lead by creating opportunities
When Magan first became involved with BOLD in Australia, he saw an opportunity to contribute to a community he cared deeply about. Over time, that involvement became an unexpected leadership development opportunity. Through organizing events, collaborating with volunteers, and helping create an inclusive environment, he learned lessons that would influence how he leads today.
“BOLD helped me develop leadership skills, particularly in delegating tasks and creating an inclusive environment,” he said. One of his biggest lessons was learning that leadership does not mean doing everything yourself. “Others are willing to step up and contribute when given the opportunity.”
As his responsibilities grew, so did his confidence. Public speaking and event planning became opportunities to stretch outside his comfort zone and practice skills that would benefit him professionally.
Building confidence through action
One experience stands out for Magan: Helping lead BOLD Australia’s annual Africa Day celebration.
The event celebrates the many cultures represented across the African continent while creating opportunities for education, connection, and allyship across Vanguard Australia’s crew. Through coordinating activities, engaging participants, and bringing people together, Magan gained experience influencing, communicating, and leading without formal authority.
Finding leadership in unexpected places
For Chad, leadership growth started with a conversation. Although he describes himself as an introvert, encouragement from his manager prompted him to get involved with BOLD, opening the door to experiences that would shape his confidence and leadership style.
Today, Chad serves as BOLD’s site lead in North Carolina. Along the way, he helped advocate for and organize the site’s Juneteenth celebration, demonstrating how persistence and initiative can create meaningful change.
“The essence of my day job is teaching leaders how to be better leaders,” Chad said. Yet some of his own leadership growth happened through the community work he pursued outside of his formal role. Today, he credits BOLD with giving him opportunities to lead, advocate for others, and grow beyond his comfort zone.
For both Magan and Chad, leadership development didn’t begin with a management title. It began with saying yes to opportunities to contribute, connect, and lead.
Their experiences reflect a broader reality at Vanguard: Growth often happens through the communities that crew help build, the initiatives they choose to support, and the opportunities they create for others. Whether through Crew Resource Groups, volunteer leadership, or mentorship, Vanguard offers opportunities to develop the skills, confidence, and relationships that can shape a career long before the next promotion.
