PurposeThis paper presents a dozen ways for HR leaders to partner with their executive education leadership development providers in order to promote the tailored design, and most impactful delivery, of a custom leadership development program.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is the culmination of numerous years of working with corporations in the design and delivery of executive education leadership development programs. More precisely, it is based on several recent leadership development client engagements where a number of these best practices have been embraced by the client with positive outcomes.FindingsThe 12 best practices outlined in the paper.Practical implicationsThe contemporary, field‐inspired actions presented here are immediately and broadly applicable to those HR managers engaged in partnering with providers of custom leadership development programs aimed at enhancing organizational talent, expanding leadership skills and/or developing a cadre of high‐potential managers.Originality/valueIn a concise and comprehensive manner, readers are provided with a dozen concrete action items to insure the successful and impactful design, development and delivery of custom executive education leadership development programs.