An HR workshop to experience and understand Professional Co-development

Organised for the HR functions of Swiss companies in Morocco as well as CCSM members, this first-of-its-kind workshop enabled participants to understand and experience Co-development. An approach based on collective intelligence, mutual listening, the exchange of practices and points of view, and co-construction.

Professional Co-development: what are we talking about?

Based on a teaching method of Canadian origin that is attracting a growing following among managers worldwide, Co-development is presented by its creators Adrien Payette and Claude Champagne as “a development approach for people who believe they can learn from one another in order to improve their practice”. Adaptable to different organisational structures, setting up Professional Co-development workshops makes it possible to address strategic challenges for the company. “These workshops can support a change of culture or organisation, showcase existing know-how and at the same time strengthen internal cohesion. They rely on group dynamics to develop autonomy and cooperation”, stressed Aurélie Cuelle during the workshop.

An approach structured in six stages

Unlike conventional training, the Co-development approach builds on everyone’s experience. Top management, HR directors, managers… thus come to this process seeking insights and pragmatic answers to their issues.

A Co-development group, made up of 5 to 8 people, meets over time (6 months minimum), once a month, for sessions of around 3 hours. At each session, the group agrees to address the subject or issue of one person. The other participants act as consultants and help that person make progress, through an exercise structured in 6 stages: presentation of an issue, project or concern; clarifying questions from the other participants; formulation of the exact request by the client; consultation and sharing of reflections and experiences, and expression of the action plan; and regulation.

Each stage is overseen by the trainer-facilitator and allows the person presenting their situation to express themselves, to clarify and above all to act. “Professional Co-development is an innovative, unusual approach, a different way of working. Participants are often surprised to see how innovative and useful this process is and how it stimulates reflection at both individual and collective level”, says Aurélie Cuelle.

An effective experience and a win for everyone

Professional Co-development focuses above all on the relationship between the person and their situation, as they speak about their difficulties in a climate conducive to exchange, reflection and action. This was confirmed by Imane Loubane, HR Development Director at Lafarge Holcim Maroc and one of the participants in the HR workshop, who stressed that “Professional Co-development is a wonderful exercise in humility, in which you open up to others, talk about your difficulties and agree to help and be helped. I was pleasantly surprised by the degree of professionalism during this workshop. It was a very enriching experience!”.

“The rules of Professional Co-development are simple. Taking part in this kind of approach allows people to express themselves, to listen and to be listened to, without feeling judged or criticised. Everyone finds their place, in a setting where respect and acceptance of others’ differences prevail.” Aurélie Cuelle, Trainer and Consultant – Groupe DDM “You cannot remain indifferent to a workshop called ‘Professional Co-development’. It is always rewarding to take part in this kind of meeting, which allows us to develop together through discovering and integrating new working methods.” Imane Loubane, HR Development Director – Lafarge Holcim Maroc