Case
Learning Experiences Design, Facilitation
Talking Sessions @AbbVie
Creating a rich, informal conversation space for AbbVie's extended management team.
An important step in any relationship is to make room for conversation.
After we co-designed and delivered a learning program for ABBVIE leaders, at the end, when participants publicly shared their experience, members of the management team told us they "wanted a program like that".
Based on this request, together with ABBVIE, we decided to create a cycle of conversations on topics important to these people and their context.
"In the context of an "Extended Management Team" meeting, full of strategic and also operational topics, I thought it would be interesting to end with a topic related to People... and in an "Inspiring Session" type format...
Well, as I believe that what can truly inspire us are simple formats, where it is possible to share and discuss ideas, preferably without theoretical models and templates to fill in, I decided to challenge João Sevilhano to come and talk to us.
João accepted, came and inspired us... How? Due to the simplicity of the approach, translated into a conversation format. Simple conversation, but with deep content; simple conversation, but full of sharing; simple and relaxed conversation, but which allowed people to look at each other in the eye and talk about their experiences.
The feedback was very positive and many people asked to repeat the experience... Repeat what? Conversations about Leadership. We decided to call them "Talking Sessions". It sounds more professional and elaborate than "Talks"!
But the essence is the same as in a good conversation. Conversations that add value, make us think and take us to a different level in how we relate to PEOPLE."
- Célia Santos, HR Director
From the Parisian salons to the pharmaceutical "laboratories".
We tried to recover the style and purpose of the conversations in the European salons of the 17th - 20th centuries. Conversation was then supposed to serve two purposes: to please or to educate. It was also said that a conversation, to be good one, should be devoid of any purpose other than to provide learning for all who participated. AbbVie had the boldness and intelligence to open a conversation space for its leaders with these characteristics and with a similar purpose.
Beyond form and content, what matters is to talk.
With a mixed approach, composed of suggestions from Way Beyond and challenges from AbbVie, we found conversation topics that were interesting, pertinent and important to the "conversationalists". Depending on the chosen theme and on the moment, we tried to create different formats. There were cases in which improvisation reigned, destroying any previous preparation. There were no pre designed classes, lectures or presentations. What happened were, in fact, conversations, which intention was, always, to provoke and co-construct.
"Talk" about our conversations.
"For me, the Talking Sessions with João Sevilhano were an opportunity to reflect and to get courage and inspiration to do differently. Sometimes we tend to label situations equivalently, in order to facilitate the execution of a plan that ends up always being the same. And what was interesting in these sessions was the possibility to reflect on the difference and how to deal with that difference. The first session, in which we talked about Talent Management, made a big impression on me because it made me think about these labels that have been created and about the standard results that we want to achieve, and it allowed me to adjust concrete behaviors that I think had a real and effective impact. I hope I can continue to have these inspirational moments in the future!"
- Margarida Pimentel, Finance Director
"The AbbVie Talking Sessions allowed me to have a new vision and learning about the topics covered. The fact that these Talking Sessions are done in an informal format, without the traditional power point presentations, but in an innovative way, through an open, collaborative, relaxed, but very deep and structured conversation, allowed me to have a new perspective and knowledge about the themes approached. For these reasons, the AbbVie Talking Sessions are, in my opinion, an asset to the development of the AbbVie employees."
- Cristina Ramos, CEX Manager
Not everything that is useful is important.
What (seems) useless can also be important.
The best places to work are not only made of benefits, pouffes and football tables. The importance you give to people, conversations, and time to share and to learn counts as much (or more) than the tangible and quantitative aspects.
The relationship with AbbVie has been confirming that co-design and co-construction are key elements in making any learning experience more sustained and sustainable. This partnership reaffirms as well that conversation is the basis of good human relationships.
This kind of partnership is rare and rich. This kind of experience is not possible without open, available and interested people like the ones we met and continue to meet. We thank AbbVie, for challenging us to do what we love most!