Unified leadership, a strong future: a path to clear leadership principles

Developing a management model for the future together

Volksbank Gronau-Ahaus eG is a major regional financial services provider and part of the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken cooperative financial network. With around 350 employees and total assets of 4.2 billion euros, it is an important partner for both private and corporate customers.

In recent years, the bank has faced several positive challenges: Strong growth had led to a significant expansion of the management team and the new diversity and dynamics in the management team required a common understanding of leadership. The bank recognised the need to strategically position its managers, create uniform standards for collaboration and strengthen leadership. The aim was to establish a management culture that does justice to both the individual strengths and the shared values of the bank.

A customised approach for sustainable results

Together with noventum consulting, the Westphalian bankers developed a comprehensive management development programme that was divided into several coordinated phases. The focus was on closely combining theory and practice and preparing managers for their individual and joint challenges.

Analysis and target development

The first step was a comprehensive analysis. An online survey of all managers made it possible to systematically identify training needs. In addition, noventum consultants conducted individual interviews with selected managers in order to gain qualitative insights and validate the results of the survey. Together with the bank, a target image was developed that served as the basis for the entire training series.

Training modules for targeted skills development

At the heart of the programme were five thematic training modules that were tailored to the specific needs of managers:

1. Communication I: Fundamentals of interpersonal interaction and building a common culture of dialogue.
2. Result and goal orientation: Methods for formulating goals and making decisions.
3. Change management: The human success factor in change processes.
4. Communication II: In-depth study of conflict management and resilience.
5. Agile work organisation: Practical approaches for collaboration in dynamic teams.

Each module combined theoretical input with practical exercises. Individual coaching sessions were also offered.

Team building and personal development

In addition to the content-based training, noventum focussed on interactive team-building measures, including short outdoor activities and small group work. These not only promoted team cohesion, but also enabled the managers to better utilise their individual strengths and learn from each other.

Results: Unified leadership, stronger cooperation

At the end of the programme, the joint development of the management team at Volksbank Gronau-Ahaus was tangible. The managers had honed their individual skills and developed a shared understanding of what good leadership means for the bank. This shared understanding of leadership is characterised by openness, clear communication and the awareness that leadership not only means setting goals, but also inspiring and supporting people.

The managers reported that the regular workshops not only provided them with concrete tools for their day-to-day work, but also created a space to exchange ideas about their roles. The exercises on conflict management and resilience in particular left a lasting impression. One participant said: "I learnt that it’s not always about knowing the perfect solution. It’s much more important to promote dialogue and take the team with you."

"The development of our management culture was a decisive step in securing the future viability of our bank in the long term. Accompanied by noventum, we have not only made real progress as a team, but also as an organisation. Our aim is to be the bank in the region and we can only achieve this if we have THE managers who continue to shape this path to success," explained Claudia Heinzel, Head of HR Management at Volksbank Gronau-Ahaus.

A look into the future: sustainable management cultureJan Helmchen – noventum Management Consultant

The closing event – the "finale" – not only provided an insight into individual leadership initiatives and a review of the goals achieved, but also an outlook on the next steps. With a mixture of reflection and strategic planning, the managers looked ahead to the coming years together. Topics such as the further development of Vision 2030 and the continuous expansion of leadership principles were addressed.

For Jan Helmchen, Management Consultant at noventum consulting and project manager of the programme, this was a particularly pleasing moment: At Volksbank Gronau-Ahaus, it was especially nice to see how the managers as a team have become increasingly experienced in dealing with the simultaneity of diversity and different experiences. In my view, this is a fundamental success factor for adaptable and future-proof organisations."

Volksbank is determined to continue along this path consistently and to anchor the management culture in the long term by stabilising effective exchange formats.

Conclusion: A successful change process

The management development programme at Volksbank Gronau-Ahaus shows how strategic consulting and customised training can bring about sustainable change. With the support of noventum consulting, the bank was not only able to strengthen its management team, but also create the basis for the long-term development of its organisation.