At their November 2004 Leadership Development Institute, 600 leaders in Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region (five hospitals and two medical groups in the Sacramento region of California) reflected upon what they’d gained from their eight LDIs since March 2003. They named these among the top benefits of attending:

1. Better communication between departments and an opportunity to share best practices with peers across the region

2. Leadership consistency and accountability

3. Creating a "common language" for consistent messages to staff

4. Employee recognition and thank you notes

5. "Permission" to confront low performing employees

6. Re-recruitment and retention tools

7. Higher awareness of patient, physician, and employee satisfaction