Finding the talents
The first step was to find the talents. All Zuyderland employees with the passion and ambition to drive change were warmly invited to apply for the program. Prospective participants could secure a place by presenting themselves in a short pitch and by solving a case.

Learning together
We then kicked off Phase 1 of the program with 20 selected participants. In this phase, the participants worked in groups of four directly on a project. In parallel, they developed their project leadership skills on training days. They learned how to write a project plan, steer for results and create change. They also strengthened their influencing skills (such as dealing with resistance) through a combination of theory, reflection and practice with actors. Everything they learned was applied immediately in their own project. After four months of hard work, the participants presented their project results to their sponsors and senior management.

Doing!
In Phase 2, it was time to lead a project alone or in a pair. The participants threw themselves into it, strengthened by the knowledge and experience already gained in Phase 1. In-between inspiration days gave room to refresh knowledge, exchange experiences and reinforce skills. Through feedback and individual coaching by Gupta, the participants continued to grow as project leaders. Phase 2 also closed with presentations. Sponsors and managers were impressed by the quality and depth of the presentations and by the energy of the participants. It was wonderful to see how much the participants had grown in less than a year.

And continuing, together
Now that the program has been completed, the participants stand ready, full of motivation, to take on new projects at Zuyderland. Zuyderland has thus formed a strong internal change team: a team with the qualities and the enthusiasm to make change projects, and so the strategy of Zuyderland, a success.