The Talent Development Programme was thought-provoking, inspiring, and transformational, both personally and professionally, for Rachel Stewart.
When Rachel Stewart attended the Talent Development Programme (TDP) she wanted more responsibility in her management role. Three years later she became Managing Director of the same company, Postscript Books Ltd, that had sent her on TDP. Here she talks to us about her experience on the programme.
I had spent several years focusing on academia prior to entering the workplace and I needed a course that would give me a broader business perspective quickly, and that would allow me to develop my personal leadership capability.
Cranfield was recommended to me by my employer thanks to its excellent reputation as a transformational School of Management. The unconventional mix of management and leadership teaching made it a far more interesting choice than other options.
Learning how to influence decisions
By attending TDP I hoped to achieve a broader understanding of business and its core principles and to nurture my somewhat unpolished leadership skills. I needed to learn how to influence decisions when I did not have the authority to do so, and how to communicate my ideas in a way that was taken seriously by my superiors. My ultimate goal was to take on more responsibility within the business and play a key role in its future.
My ultimate goal was to take on more responsibility within the business and play a key role in its future.
Before joining the programme I was concerned that I was not in the least bit interested in what I considered to be corporate attitudes and behaviours, and that I would be surrounded by ‘suits and boots’.
So I was relieved to find that the other course participants were indeed human, and that everyone was there to better themselves and to develop their careers as a result of personal change. The approach from all the course leaders helped immediately as they were all incredibly intelligent, forward-thinking, and warm.
I started the programme knowing full well that I could do more than I was doing professionally, but I was not sure how to influence others to notice the same. Or if they did notice, to seriously include me in the business growth strategy.
The Talent Development Programme taught me how to self-reflect in a way that allowed me to improve how I was perceived across all areas of the business, and indeed in areas outside of work too. I was quickly promoted to senior management following the programme, where I was able to turn problem areas into places of learning and improvement.
The Talent Development Programme taught me how to self-reflect in a way that allowed me to improve how I was perceived across all areas of the business.
Lasting impact and key messages
My journey has been one of continuous development. As an individual, I learned how to better control situations through my actions and reactions, and to take responsibility for my role in any outcome. One of the best phrases that has stayed with me is that the words ‘create’ and ‘react’ contain the same letters, so make sure you choose wisely.
There were so many takeaways from the programme! One was that there is no textbook answer as to how to get where you want to go, and that personal development and self-reflection are never finite.
Another was that by focusing on one area, or person, too closely you miss all the peripheral elements, or people, that are crucial to enabling forward progression. I learnt also that listening is often far more important than talking; something we all hear but do not always action.
I learned that listening is often far more important than talking.
One key moment was when I expressed that I knew that the course would propel me forward considerably and that I was aware my personal goals would likely change because of career progression. I was not sure if it was what I truly wanted out of life. One simple question from the Programme Director challenged my thinking entirely and it was that moment that led to faster career progression than I could ever have imagined.
TDP gave me an observational interest across all areas which continues to allow me to assess personal and professional situations from a proactive, non-emotional viewpoint. It changed the way I think entirely.
It changed the way I think entirely.
Life is too short to wait
I would absolutely recommend this programme to anyone who knows they have serious potential and wants to fast-track their career progression. TDP was thought-provoking, inspiring, and transformational, both personally and professionally.
My professional ambition is now to lead the company extremely well, and in a way that develops the business and the staff within it. To make each day better than the last. To continue to focus on small improvements to make a big impact.
If you are considering doing TDP give yourself the best opportunity to reach your potential and signup. Life is too short to wait. Thank you Talent Development Programme, it really did change my life!
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