Groupama Insurances launches "Self Discovery Programme"

14 March 2008

New development initiative for Groupama managers

In an innovative move designed to strengthen its business capabilities, Groupama Insurances is tapping into the emotional intelligence of its leaders and managers through a programme of 'self-discovery' utilising tools developed by the Hay Group.

The programme aims to help individuals become more effective leaders. Activity commenced in 2007 with the senior Groupama leadership team who will now be supporting the cascade of the programme down through their own management teams during 2008.

Individuals participating in the programme are evaluated on their leadership style and emotional competence based on two on-line Hay Group questionnaires.

The emotional competence questionnaires focus on a range of qualities such as self awareness, self management, social awareness and relationship management. The leadership questionnaire gathers feedback against a range of leadership styles and works to identify both the dominant management styles, and those where further development or training may be required.

On completion of the questionnaires, in-depth profiles are generated and fed back to the individual manager by an accredited member of the HR Team. The feedback session is critical in helping managers understand where to start in developing their management skills to make them more effective leaders.

Beyond this, Groupama is working to provide managers with individually tailored development opportunities which will include executive coaching, a much greater focus on mentoring, attendance at advanced external courses and a strong "on-the-job" focus achieved through close management involvement with the company's recently launched Talent, Graduate and Employee Engagement initiatives.

Says HR Director at Groupama Insurances, Caroline Alexander: "The Self Discovery Programme is an exciting new development for us and one which will help us ensure that we realise the full potential that lies within our management teams. We want to encourage them to evolve their style and approach to make them better leaders. The key focus for Groupama is to continue to develop the talent we already have to evolve and build our business and to create further competitive advantage.

END
March 2008