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Vanheede, a warm family business specializing in waste management, saw its growth skyrocket. Today, the company consists of some 1050 employees. Providing the necessary structure and maintaining clear lines of communication without losing the family bond became quite a challenge. Especially since many managers had come into their positions with little training or background. So they were asking for tools and training. The moment for Vanheede to invest in sustainable leadership coaching. Stéphanie Cael, trainer at Obelisk, initiated a customized program and got to work on the different leadership roles.
Vanheede wanted to create sustainable behavioral change among executives to build strong teams. But without a clear vision, you don't know which direction to take. That's why Obelisk organized a preliminary process with Vanheede's executive committee, in which together we defined their vision for leadership. The end result? Creating a positive group dynamic and working environment to motivate employees to give their best every day.... In short, a vision that exudes energy and is firmly rooted in their corporate DNA.
Customization is key at Obelisk. Because there are three different leadership roles at Vanheede, we worked out a separate process for each group, which we worked on in three waves. We started with the active family and the executive committee. Their challenge? Combining the operational part with strategic work, without creating distance between the shop floor and the boardroom.
Next, we focused on the supervisors, the layer between the executive committee and the direct team leaders. Although they do not have the mandate to make important decisions, they manage many people below them. Creating a motivating work environment, translating situations on the shop floor clearly to the management level, building and coaching a team ... were the challenges of this group.
Last but not least came the operations level. We further divided this group into shift supervisors and administrative colleagues. Because these managers are in direct contact with the workers, they were especially confronted with communication issues such as having relational conversations and giving feedback. Exactly where our expertise lies.
"Thanks to our evidence-based methodology and hands-on mentality, we offer grounded training where you really learn skills. Added bonus? We always work on a customized basis and tell you honestly where there is room for improvement." - Stéphanie Cael, trainer at Obelisk
Although each leadership level faced different challenges, we had the same topics covered in each track. Thus, we created a common language, although we adapted the format and intensity of the sessions according to the needs, functions and responsibilities of the group. For example, the sessions with the executive committee were more conceptual and focused more on team coaching, while with the supervisors we paid extra attention to their dual leadership roles. Because both groups need to convincingly communicate the leadership vision developed, we zoomed in heavily there as well. At the operations level, on the other hand, we made the leadership vision come to life through a practical exercise. That concrete approach better matched their daily blue-collar environment.
Want to know more about our leadership coaching? We are happy to explain all about our unique and thoughtful approach.
Additional explanation of leadership coaching
Because leadership is also about personality, we started each session with a training to gain insight into one's own preferred style and that of others. These learnings often brought about a lot of change, as the participants gradually understood the leadership styles of others. Moreover, they discovered opportunities to try out a different leadership style, to receive feedback from others and to discuss it with their colleagues.
To make the course extra relevant to each group, all executives were able to bring in their own cases. From setting boundaries, to defining expectations, to coaching successors. After each session we sent the participants back into the field with a case they could try out with their own team or employees. In this way, new leadership issues emerged that we could address in the next session. By designing the leadership program in advance and not working it out in detail, we were able to respond to the concrete needs of the different leadership levels and work with them specifically.
"That Vanheede is a warm family business was something I was able to experience for myself. There was a positive atmosphere and room for open discussions about difficult topics. When family members worked together on an exercise, it always created a cool dynamic." - Stéphanie Cael, trainer at Obelisk
Want to boost your executives' communication leadership skills? Obelisk works out a step-by-step leadership program and offers customized personal coaching.
