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A talent program that asks scientists to slow down first
UMC Utrecht and Relevance developed a talent program for young academics: 24 physician-researchers, assistant professors and post-docs from different disciplines who were given room to reflect on their ambitions before practicing the skills to pursue them.
Trained to absorb knowledge, rarely to reflect
Scientists receive a lot of theoretical training but generally have little experience with self-knowledge and self-reflection, and in the rush of the day there is no time for it. UMC Utrecht wanted to help them discover what really drives them, and to strengthen them accordingly.
A second aim was connection across the breadth of the organization. Science is competitive and changing fast; bringing scientists from different specializations together creates new insights and a network that reaches beyond one department.
Slow down first, then practice the power skills
The program was co-created by Relevance consultants and trainers and UMC Utrecht employees, entirely online because of the lockdown, and then run partly online and partly on location. Relevance's years of experience in university and healthcare institutions gave the organization the confidence to work together.
The motto became 'less is more'. In a sector used to absorbing knowledge at speed, the first step was to slow down: the first one and a half training days focused on personal leadership and values, starting with a peak-experience exercise in which participants tell each other about a moment they were truly in flow.
Theory and knowledge lived on the online learning portal; the sessions were for practicing and reflecting. Power skills trainings in effective communication, presentation and negotiation were combined with expert dialogues by senior colleagues from UMC Utrecht itself, which connected the program to the organization and its support departments.
Personal leadership first
One and a half days on values and ambitions, opened with a peak-experience exercise, before any skill training.
Power skills
Effective communication, presentation and negotiation, practiced in small groups with feedback, such as telling your story in different 'gears'.
Expert dialogues
Senior colleagues from UMC Utrecht share their experience and the support that exists inside the organization.
Online learning portal
Theory and knowledge on the portal, so that the concise sessions stay practical.
Multidisciplinary cohort
24 scientists from different disciplines who become sparring partners and mentors for each other.
Powerful career choices and a network across the hospital
Participants got to know themselves, each other and the breadth of UMC Utrecht. They learned to define their ambitions as a 'what' and a 'why' and to take the steps toward them, which lets them make powerful career choices. Colleagues became sparring partners and mentors, in work and in well-being.
The first program is almost complete and three new groups are starting. Myriam van Wijk, Talent Development Advisor: 'The blueprint is there, we are now going to fine-tune. We absolutely make sure that the personal aspect of the program remains.'
Participants not only got to know themselves and each other better, but also the breadth of UMC Utrecht.
Myriam van WijkTalent Development Advisor, UMC Utrecht
The biggest takeaways
- 1
For people trained to absorb knowledge fast, the program has to slow them down first: reflection before skills.
- 2
Keep sessions concise and practical, put theory on the portal, and let the expert dialogues come from inside the organization.
- 3
A multidisciplinary cohort builds the network that spreads through the organization afterwards.
A one-page PDF with the key items, the numbers and the biggest takeaways. Handy for a meeting, or to forward.
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