This research paper focuses on the details of designing and executing an assessment centre towards an endeavour for leadership readiness in organisations. The paper is designed to help today’s managers and professionals about the fundamental information required to create the assessment centres that can act as a springboard to develop the employee’s leadership abilities. Being a talent development practitioner, the author could trace and provide insights on how assessment centres can provide an ideal platform for the high potential performers in organisations to be successful in an increasingly complex world.

Design/ methodology / approach: Based on literature review and the contemporary work done the most critical need today in business leadership is a new kind of leader: authentic leader- and the assessment centre approach can serve as a pedestal and tool in evaluating the leadership traits and competencies. The efforts involved in designing and executing an assessment centre is outlined that can be used in nurturing the high potential performers for leadership readiness.

Findings: The assessment centre is depicted to be a reliable platform and tool for gauging and evaluating the existing leadership pipeline in an organisation revolving around the scope of this work.

Practical implications: Assessment centre methods can help organisations achieve the mission critical goals- helping its leaders to be successful in hostile, turbulent, ambiguous and uncertain business environment on increasing the organisational competencies to sustain the strategy.

Originality/ value: An original piece of work, this research paper can be of immense value not only for the academicians but also for the HR and Talent Development professionals more in terms of identifying, nurturing and developing leaders of tomorrow.