There are just three days to go before the start of the sixth edition of the annual EVE International seminars. Ahead of this event, that will bring together 300 new managers, both men and women, over three days for inspiration and respiration on the theme of equal leadership, the EVE blog presents its weekly trailer…
Second episode of this series of “trailers”: In the words of the participants!
They all took part in EVE between 2010 and 2014 and here is how the seminars inspired them.
“EVE is a real breath of fresh air with a mix of moments of reflection and very deep spontaneous exchanges, made possible by a spirit of “letting go” and by all the different opportunities to meet: plenaries, workshops, meals, relaxation time, etc.”
Marie Guillemot, Audit Associate, KPMG
“When someone suggested that I attend this seminar, I was first of all flattered! And I threw myself into the adventure without hesitation. I think that we should make sure that equality between genders is respected in companies and at every level. When I arrived at Evian, I felt inferior at first – there were lots of women, all charismatic, determined and powerful – but that uneasy feeling
quickly disappeared. The welcome was warm, I felt at ease, I quickly found my role as an observer as well as a participant. Since then, “I dare to be myself to unleash my potential”! I try to be more positive, to accept failure, to take time to breathe, I ask myself what makes me want to go to work: so much of the advice given to support women is also relevant to the men.”
Yves Lescaroux, Material Production Manager, SNCF Intercity
“At the first EVE seminars in 2010, I was part of a delegation of around fifteen women from SNCF, who came ‘to have a look’. And we were not disappointed with what we saw during this seminar series which knows how to tackle a sensitive and complex issue with the right tone. This tone is in large part due to the EVE spirit, which is above all about encounters. There are meetings between companies, which is in some way the name of the game, but there are also the meetings between people from the same company who are given a rare opportunity to discover each other and to learn to get to know each other beyond a strictly professional sense.”
Virginie Abadie-Dalle, President of SNCF au feminin
“I found this seminar to be extraordinary. I say that because the speakers were of very high quality, in both plenary sessions and workshops, in terms of the pace and atmosphere. But more importantly I also say that because it was the very first time that I had participated in a development seminar which puts such clear focus on “being”, and not on “doing”. That is the difference between EVE and other initiatives which could appear to be the same at first glance. Because when you decide to focus on the “being” in each person at work, you can go so much further. If you are focused on the “doing”, that’s great, but it only lasts for a season, that moment when you get back from the seminar and try to apply a few little ideas before going back to your old entrenched habits. And the little ideas and methods go out of fashion. The deep-down “being” of individuals is at the heart of something more sustainable and much more powerful. It is also what allows us to connect the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional dimensions of a person. That, right there, is a real tool for transformation.”
Diego Gaspari, Global RH Director Crédit Agricole Private Banking
“I love the EVE Program. Quite simply, it’s in the top 3 of my managerial experiences. In my opinion, in this program, there is every ingredient of a recipe for an excellent seminar on “change”. 1) The quality of the speakers. Each one is as fantastic as the next. What is incredible is that everything is interesting and that at the same time there is something for everyone, depending on what you are looking for or where you are in your own development. 2) The participants: men and women, from different companies, different cultures, with different experiences. That creates curiosity. Better still, it creates a network based on curiosity, therefore a solid network which promises many things, a real goldmine, real relationships destined to become lasting ones. It is also down to the incredible dynamic of goodwill at EVE, no-one puts on a show, each person comes just as they are and goes off to meet other people. 3) What really makes this seminar unique is that it really challenges the subject of feminine/masculine in a fundamental way. It goes beyond the subject of “feminine leadership” to leadership, period, and in the end, talking about universal things that affect everyone. In fact, it addresses the subject: being yourself.”
Jean-Christophe Laugée, Director of Social Innovation, Danone Ecosystem Fund Director, Danone
“The tone was good, and balanced, notably due to the fact that men had been invited. At the same time, I found it useful that there were so few of us because that set-up allowed me to measure the gap that exists between talking about a problem and living it: for the first time, I was part of a minority!”
Jean-Marc Lagoutte, Director of Information Systems, Danone Group
“Since EVE, I know that I can do things differently. I know that even if my schedule is overloaded, if emergencies are a fixture, if our backs are against the wall, I have to be able to get back to basics at some time or other.”
Isabelle Garrouste, Regional Director, LCL
“EVE gives prominence to the idea of ‘daring to be yourself’. At EVE, I learned to listen to myself better, so that I can find the resources I need to go forward within myself. For me, this aspect of personal development makes EVE is an unrivaled program, and it allows each person to go forward in their own way and at their own speed without feeling guilty or imitating their neighbor’s progress. And moreover, I was energized by the atmosphere at the seminar: all these women exchanging ideas with goodwill and sincerity… We are not so very different from each other and that makes you want to do something!”
Anne-Claire Berg, Director of Corporate Affairs, Danone UK
Discover more participant testimonies, recorded live at the 2014 EVE seminar.
Valérie Amalou and Marie Donzel, for the EVE blog.
