The Secret to Succession: How Cummins Built a Leadership Pipeline That Works

At Cummins, Leadership Is Personal

Leadership at Cummins isn’t something you learn from a manual. It’s real. It’s personal. It’s about making decisions that ripple across a global organization.

“Leadership isn’t just an HR thing here,” says Jeff Wiltrout, VP of Corporate Strategy. “It’s about building a culture where people at every level know how to make the tough calls.”

That’s why Cummins partnered with Capsim over a decade ago. What started as a tool to sharpen decision-making is now the backbone of their leadership pipeline.

Jeff knows this firsthand. Seven years ago, he went through Cummins’ Executive Development Program (EDP), where Capsim’s simulations were at the core of the experience. “At the time, I didn’t realize how much it would influence my leadership style,” Jeff says. “But those simulations shaped how I make decisions today.”

Now, Jeff leads the very program that shaped his career. His mission? To ensure Cummins’ leadership pipeline produces leaders capable of driving strategic success. “This isn’t about theory,” he says. “It’s about preparing leaders to make decisions when it matters most.”

Why Traditional Leadership Training Falls Short

Most leadership training fails because it’s passive. PowerPoints and case studies don’t teach you how to handle billion-dollar decisions. They don’t simulate the pressure of leading in the real world.

Cummins needed something different:

• Real Stakes: Training that mimics the challenges leaders face daily.

• Lasting Impact: Lessons that stick years after the program ends.

• Global Scalability: Programs that work for mid- and senior-level leaders, delivered both on-site and virtually.

“We needed something real,” Jeff says. “And it had to stick.”

How Capsim Makes Leadership Real

Scaling leadership development globally is no small feat.  The programs had to do more than teach—they needed to transform.

That’s why their leadership programs culminate in Capsim’s Leadership Accelerator, a tailored 2.5-day workshop designed to push leaders out of their comfort zones. These workshops combine a customized simulation with sessions led by Cummins senior leaders, creating an intense, real-world experience.

The simulation? It's as close to reality as it gets. Capsim built scenarios tailored to Cummins’ unique challenges—combining their legacy diesel engine business with emerging zero-emission technologies. Leaders must navigate the tension between traditional markets and new opportunities, mirroring the real strategic decisions they face at Cummins.

“Alignment was key,” Jeff says. “The Leadership Accelerator had to fit our objectives, our L&D strategy, and the distinct needs of both Global Leadership Development Program (GLDP) and Executive Development Program (EDP) participants.”

These aren’t passive exercises. They’re intense, immersive, and impactful.

“You’re thrown into situations that test your instincts,” Jeff recalls. “I remember one simulation where we had to decide whether to double down on a risky market strategy. It forced us to debate, adjust, and learn in real time. That’s the kind of experience that sticks with you.”

Seven years later, Jeff still draws on what he learned in the simulations. “It shaped my leadership style,” he says. “That kind of learning stays with you.”

The Results: Leaders Who Deliver

Capsim’s simulations have fundamentally transformed how Cummins develops leaders. Here’s the proof:

• Lessons That Stick: Leaders leave the program equipped with decision-making skills that endure long after the workshops end. “Seven years later, I still draw on what I learned in those simulations,” Jeff says. “It shaped my leadership style and how I approach big decisions.”

• Stronger Collaboration: Leaders leave with trusted allies across Cummins, driving better collaboration on critical projects. “These groups don’t just learn together—they form bonds that make them better decision-makers and collaborators,” Jeff explains.

• Stakeholder Confidence: Cummins’ leadership pipeline doesn’t just support internal growth—it builds external trust. “Our investors notice the talent we develop,” Jeff shares. “Even when great leaders move on, their successors step in seamlessly. That consistency keeps stakeholders confident in our future.”

What’s Next: Sharpening the Edges

For Jeff, the goal is simple: keep pushing boundaries.

“The foundation we’ve built with Capsim is strong,” he says. “Now it’s about sharpening the edges and making every session unforgettable.”

Whether it’s refining simulations or embedding leadership lessons deeper into the culture, Capsim remains a critical partner. “They’re not just a vendor,” Jeff concludes. “They’re part of the team.”

Takeaway: Cummin's story is a testament that the best leaders aren’t taught—they’re forged in action.