Our belief that each associate is a leader means we’re intrinsically focused on building learning and development opportunities that activate and empower our associates to boldly innovate across our organization. We’re fostering an environment where our associates can learn, thrive, and achieve their life and career goals.

Self-Driven Learning

We have invested in technology to expand access to learning opportunities. In 2022 our associates engaged in over 139,000 hours of learning.

More than 11,000 of these engagement hours occurred on LinkedIn Learning, an online platform offering video courses taught by industry experts in business, creative, and technology skills, along with more in-depth learning and certifications. This platform is offered to all associates worldwide where LinkedIn is available. In 2022 more than 250,000 videos were viewed. For Kohler associates in China, we provide access to the Zhiniao learning platform in the absence of LinkedIn.

In 2022 the Kohler Capability Accelerator, in partnership with the University of Virginia, supported 83 Kohler associates in completing data analytics or marketing training. We are continuing this partnership to extend specialized training to more Kohler associates.

Leadership Development

We want to develop leaders who are inclusive and able to attract and retain our associates. We believe that a respectful, inclusive workplace is nonnegotiable, sparks creativity, and enhances a sense of mutual trust— creating the foundation of a great workplace. Kohler’s custom leadership-development program, the Bold Leader Development Series, was created in 2022 and supported as a strategic initiative from the KLT. Designed for leaders from all Kohler operations around the world, this training is modeled after “Leading Boldly,” our simple, focused framework to define leadership at all levels of the organization. Starting in 2023 this leadership training will roll out to all 3,600+ Kohler people leaders across the globe. With our belief in and commitment to DEI, the Bold Leader Development Seriestraining focuses on integrating DEI into all aspects, with a featured module on inclusive leadership, in addition to key content around:

• Self-leadership
• People leadership
• Business leadership

Meaningful Career Growth

We look at career progression holistically, meaning we offer our associates the kind of personalized experiences they need to grow their career through formative career opportunities, peer learning, and formal training.

• We provide tools to help our associates learn, grow, and achieve their full potential with Kohler.
• We actively identify associates with leadership potential.
• Our signature Bold Mentoring program offers opportunities for one-on-one connection and learning.

To help our associates maximize their performance and potential, we actively support and encourage ongoing career, performance, and development conversations. Associates start the year working with their leaders identifying and aligning goals which connect directly to business strategy. As time goes on and progress is made, leaders guide, coach, and support associates as needed. Beyond the day-to-day, we’re thinking long-term by identifying succession plans at all levels of the company and reviewing those against our associates’ interests to drive meaningful and purposeful career development.