SGS Benelux Prepares a New Generation of Leaders

Through direct involvement by the managing director and senior managers across the business, participants were able to benefit from close interaction with the leadership team. As part of their personal development plans, they learned key skills required for leadership, such as managing crucial conversations, leading projects, problem solving, managing team dynamics, inspiring others to success, and setting boundaries.

After completing this inaugural program, many of the participants have chosen to establish their own networks within the group, so they can reinforce the skills that they have acquired and identify opportunities to collaborate on shared projects.

Danny Boden, Business Manager, Industrial Services, acted as a mentor for his employees. He remarked, “On one side, this project delivers a great contribution on a personal level in regard to our retention policy for future key players within our organization. On the other side, the intervention window leads to a greater knowledge of SGS’s broad potential due to the fact that workers from various business lines and staff departments are brought together.”

Participants commented on their positive experiences:

“The SGS Benelux development program has not only given my personal development a boost, but also my perspective on the organization has changed for the better. During the individual coaching, as well as the group sessions, a mirror has been held up to me and my colleagues in similar roles. This will have a positive impact on the rest of my career.” Judith van Looij-van der Lelij, Operations Manager, Governments and Institutions

“Participating in the Development Program with the training and coaching sessions not only enhanced my management skills, but also my network within the different business lines. The coaching helped me to solve issues by way of adopting a new way of thinking. It helps me to learn how to act in a manner desired for the type of manager I would like to portray myself as and utilizing my skills to their fullest potential.” Danny Gerards, Operations Manager, Industry Projects

“The educational interventions with peers from SGS and the confrontation with myself during the individual coaching sessions made me able to grow in a personal as well as professional way. This led me to have more confidence upon starting my new role at the beginning of this year.” Bert Haemels, Business Unit Manager, Oil, Gas and Chemicals Inspection

Following some minor modifications to the course content, we plan to launch the second two year development program in 2020. We look forward to welcoming the second cohort of aspiring leaders in SGS.