“If I say Red, Yellow and Green, most people think immediately of traffic lights, but if I add the colour Blue, then it's a different story. Yesterday was the Kick On for the first group that started with the Masterclass that I myself am part of. A day in which we got to know ourselves but also our fellow group members. Not your average training day, but a day full of interaction where we learned a huge amount. In the time to come, the colours red, yellow, green and blue are regularly going to crop up. In fact, the training is already a success for me; I am getting far more insight into who I am and where my strengths and weaknesses lie. That's why I am happy that now I have a buddy who can support me working on my weak points. I'm looking forward to the next sessions and especially to being able to put what I've learned into practice myself :-)."
Stef Drost
Circle Software
Circle Software is an ICT service and a specialist in the digitisation of information and processes. A developing company that wanted to make its services match the wishes of its clients even better. Their mission was to move towards becoming a more agile organisation with an increase in employees' entrepreneurial skills and improved cooperation, both internally and with the client.
Part of this process involved the Agile Consultancy Masterclass for Project Managers and Consultants. Customers required a different approach when introducing ICT systems: based less on the technology and more on a broader advisory role. This goes further than just technical implementation; there is far more needed to make the implementation of a new system into a success. It also requires entrepreneurship, ownership and cooperation. Between colleagues and with the client. Working according to an agile approach, responding to the dynamics of the customer organisation.
The goal of the Masterclass was to gain understanding and to use this understanding to guide a different way of working, with each other. In addition to these organisation-wide objectives, everybody started with the Kick On of the Masterclass. The goals of the Kick On consisted of:
The programme consists of three sections: taking online assessments, following a computer-based training and a team Masterclass session.
1) Psychological testing
At the start of the Kick On we carried out an online assessment of each participant, consisting of various personality test questionnaires. The results of the assessment were explained to the participant in a personal interview, including a discussion of opportunities for development and learning objectives.
2) Computer-based training
Before the team Masterclass session, every participant followed a computer-based training module about communication styles. This computer-based training module gave the participants an insight into the communication model, the four colours and their own communication profile.
3) Team Masterclass session
Getting to know each other better and getting a powerful start to the training. During the session our various themes were all covered:
• More in-depth information about communication
• More in-depth information about the character
insight into motives, qualities, weaknesses and learning objectives
• Ownership
• Carousel
In discussion with each other. What do you expect to gain; what do you have to offer? Where are your strengths, where are your weaknesses? How can you complement others?
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Choosing a buddy
• Personal Development Plan
The Kick On boosted trust between each other; the vulnerability to show both qualities and weaknesses. Supporting each other during the programme. Supporting and really getting to know each other. A flying start to the Masterclass.
