First week on the job and bday!

First of all I would like to thank everyone for leaving me messages on Hyves, Facebook, texting me, calling me and just thinking of me. I had a great birthday yesterday so many many thanks!

Last monday I started my new career as a management trainee at ABN AMRO. A 2-year management development program that aims to deliver future topmanagers. I got a preview in India when they sent me the program for the next 2 years. Many competency-based training sessions, done by professional actors and trainers. I experienced this week what kind of impact that has.

The cool thing when working with actors is that you can sample different type of behaviors and observe different reactions immedeately. I found my communication style is directive (I take space and very informational based) and some other communication styles do not match at all. It was really a breaktrough to see how slight changes in my behavior had such a big impact in the other person.

Besides personal development I also met some new friends. I am in a management class together with 11 others. For the next 2 years we will be learning together as a group and doing the same program. Very cool to have 12 motivated, inspiring people and sharing this experience.

Then there is the take-over. As many of you know, ABN AMRO is in the middle of a hostile take-over and the bank is going to be cut in 3 parts. The dynamics are ofcourse huge and it is very cool to see this as a future manager. Very interesting processes going on and we get to have first-class seats! It was a great start, cannot wait to get back to work on monday!