Objective

Impact looked to reality TV to challenge the Senior Team event from RBS’s Credit Card business. 

"Leon’s Kitchen" saw the RBS team donning chef’s whites to prepare a 5-course menu for the twenty-six guests at Merewood Country House Hotel in Windermere, under the watchful eye of Head Chef Leon Whitehead.

This project was the culmination of a 4-day programme facilitated by Impact Senior Consultant Karen Jaques: “...our pre-event 1:1s confirmed that the team were already established leaders in their respective functions, so this programme was designed as a catalyst for building a high performing senior team”.

Solution

Self-disclosure and feedback activities were woven into the schedule to help build a climate of openness and trust.  Tailored experiential projects also enabled the team to explore leadership issues whilst valuing the diversity each person brings to the team.

"Leon’s Kitchen" provided a metaphor to help the team discuss its structure; mirroring the times the team needs to optimise on its functional expertise, with team members relying on each other to contribute their part to the whole.  As in business, in a hotel kitchen separate areas of expertise need to merge in a dynamic and intense environment to serve expectant customers. 

After a basic introduction to kitchen protocols each person chose a specific role. Once the guests arrived and the orders started coming in the team were under pressure to produce real quality every time.  With a choice of five hors d’oeuvres, mains and desserts the team had little respite until the last order was delivered to a discerning clientele.

Result

"This was a first class event. Karen’s carefully balanced interventions were highly constructive and insightful.  We have made significant changes to how we operate as a team".

Bill Raynall
Director Operations, Credit Cards
Royal Bank of Scotland Group

Read more about Impact's approach to High Performing Teams

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