Background

The primary goal of the Rabobank Talent Strategy is to create a strong and effective talent pipeline. With the Rabobank Traineeship, Rabobank accelerates the personal and professional growth of high potentials and potential leaders. This program is highly appreciated by both young talent and business. 

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Question client and target area

Rabobank aims to build a personal development program that drives sustainable growth, supports talent retention, and prepares young professionals for future leadership roles through reflection, ownership, and diverse learning approaches.

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The program

Better Minds and Rabobank created a program for the last years which took 150-200 pioneers (young talents) each year through a personal development journey.

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Translation to daily work
We aim to embed reflection more consistently into daily work. By encouraging recurring, structured moments of reflection, we help individuals become more accustomed to the process, making it easier and more natural over time. The ultimate goal is to ensure that insights are translated into meaningful action. This is more valuable than merely creating a temporary "wow" effect.

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Ownership in learning and development
We emphasize personal ownership in both learning and daily activities. We encourage small, sustainable steps toward growth. This approach is embedded in our Circle Coaching groups. Additionally, during the program kick-off, we prompt participants to reflect on their personal motivations for joining the traineeship. This self-awareness helps them to consciously align the program’s components with their own developmental goals.

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Balanced approach to learning styles
We recognize that people learn in different ways. Therefore, we design our learning journey to engage the head (understanding), heart (emotion), and hands (practical experience). This multi-faceted approach is implemented in the entire program. We revisit key skills in different formats; through hands-on activities in the Deep Dives and Impact Journey and through theory-based modules in the Rabo Schools. This ensures that all learning preferences are addressed and reinforced throughout the program.

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Results & Impact

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1. Increased ownership and proactive behavior

Participants take greater responsibility for their own development and actively engage in shaping their learning journey. This leads to more initiative, self-leadership, and long-term motivation.

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2. Stronger transfer of learning to daily work

By linking learning to personal goals and daily practice, participants are more likely to apply what they’ve learned. This results in visible improvements in performance and confidence in the workplace.

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3. Sustainable behavioral change through reflection and practice

Recurring moments of reflection and varied learning formats (theory, experience, emotion) help embed new ways of thinking and working; leading to lasting behavioral change.

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