Kontoor Brands

Scaling leadership development across continents—without compromising engagement

Scaling leadership training without losing engagement

With global operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Kontoor Brands needed a scalable leadership training solution that would enable them to connect leaders worldwide and reach employees regardless of their location and time zone.

Kontoor Brands’ existing training solutions presented multiple roadblocks:

According to Melanie Calle, Sr. Manager Talent Development at Kontoor Brands, they needed a more dynamic and inclusive approach to training–one that could bridge geographical gaps while making leadership development more relevant, engaging, and interactive. “We wanted to ensure that learning is truly experiential—not just a one-size-fits-all, check-the-box exercise. For us, real impact comes from meaningful, interactive learning that leaders can apply in their own roles,” Melanie explains.

“We wanted to ensure that learning is truly experiential—not just a one-size-fits-all, check-the-box exercise. For us, real impact comes from meaningful, interactive learning that leaders can apply in their own roles.”

Beyond passive learning: How Howspace enabled collaborative leadership training

Kontoor Brands found the missing piece in Howspace. Instead of passive learning through recorded webinars and static content, they created a living, breathing digital learning experience that:

“I strongly believe that learning from a peer resonates far more than learning from a teacher presenting theory. Peers truly understand the challenges you’re facing because they’ve been in the same situation, making their insights much more relevant. That connection is incredibly valuable.”

The impact was immediate. Leaders who previously struggled to engage in training now felt part of an interactive, meaningful learning experience. One of the biggest successes was creating a space where leaders could connect and learn from each other–something that wasn’t possible with Kontoor Brands’ existing LMS.

“I strongly believe that learning from a peer resonates far more than learning from a teacher presenting theory. Peers truly understand the challenges you’re facing because they’ve been in the same situation, making their insights much more relevant. That connection is incredibly valuable,” Melanie explains.

Leadership training that sticks – real impact, real change

Since implementing Howspace in their leadership training programs, Kontoor Brands has seen a big shift in how leaders experience and apply their learning. What was once a passive one-size-fits-all training approach is now an interactive, personalized, and truly global experience.

Global reach without barriers

One of the biggest wins has been the ability to bring leaders together, no matter where they are. Before Howspace, time-zone differences and geographical spread meant that some leaders simply couldn’t participate in real-time learning. Now, with a mix of self-paced and live elements, every leader has the flexibility to engage in a way that works for them–without feeling left out or missing critical discussions.

Higher engagement, stronger participation

Another key shift has been in how leaders interact with learning content. Instead of passively consuming training materials, they now actively contribute, reflect, and discuss with their peers. The ability to share experiences and insights in real-time has led to more meaningful discussions and a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught. The change has been so impactful that some leaders even requested longer virtual sessions–something unheard of in traditional training formats.

A community of leaders learning from each other

Leadership can sometimes feel isolating, but Howspace has helped build a real sense of community among Kontoor Brands’ leaders. Through ongoing discussions, collaborative exercises, and shared reflections, leaders now see that they’re not alone in their challenges. They can learn from each other’s experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships that continue beyond the formal training sessions. This shift has improved the training experience and strengthened cross-regional leadership connections within the company.

“Building connections and networking is a key priority in our leadership development programs—we want to create a strong internal community where leaders can learn and grow together,” Melanie says.

A more tailored and responsive learning experience

Beyond engagement, Howspace has allowed Kontoor Brands to better understand and respond to leaders’ learning needs in real time. Instead of delivering a fixed training program with little room for adaption, facilitators can now see emerging themes and areas where leaders need additional support. For example, when a recurring challenge around delegation surfaced in discussions, additional resources were provided to address the need immediately–something that wouldn’t have been possible with their previous training approach.

Making learning stick with real-world application

Perhaps most importantly, Howspace has helped ensure that learning doesn’t end when the training session does. The platform encourages leaders to apply what they’ve learned to their daily roles, with built-in reflection points and opportunities to set development goals. This direct connection between learning and performance has made leadership training at Kontoor Brands more than just a one-time event–it’s now an ongoing process that continuously supports leaders in their growth.

“It’s important that participants not only engage with the content but also take the time to reflect on how it applies to their own role and team—whether they lead a remote team, manage a large group, or have just started in their position.”

“It’s important that participants not only engage with the content but also take the time to reflect on how it applies to their own role and team—whether they lead a remote team, manage a large group, or have just started in their position,” Melanie describes.

The results speak for themselves; Kontoor Brands now has a scalable, engaging, and impactful leadership training program that reaches leaders worldwide, enables meaningful connections, and delivers real business impact. With Howspace, Kontoor Brands has moved beyond traditional training limitations to create an interactive and highly effective learning experience–one that supports leaders in their growth and development.


Curious to see how Howspace can support your leadership training programs? Book a demo today and discover the power of Howspace for yourself.

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