December marks the start of the annual employee dialogs – this time with an important update: New competencies that reflect the Bertelsmann Leadership Principles will now be integrated into the Performance and Development Dialog.

Earlier this year, Bertelsmann CHRO Immanuel Hermreck emphasized in this BENET interview on the introduction of the Leadership Principles how crucial these new competencies are for leadership and development alike.

“All this will be complemented by the new competencies we’ll be introducing in December. This will clarify what really matters in the Performance and Development Dialog as well. What does it mean to empower someone? As a manager, how do you create an environment where others can grow? That’s what we’ll be making visible and discussable going forward. And that is how impact is created – not just through words, but throughout the system.”

‘Growth Dialogs’ as the new framework

Against this backdrop, Bertelsmann’s annual employee dialogs are now grouped under the umbrella term “Growth Dialogs.” This framework combines three familiar formats: the Agreement on Assignments and Objectives

• the Performance and Development Dialog
• the Potential Evaluation

The concept centers on growing together – through dialog and reflection, guidance and individual measures.

New competency model

In the upcoming cycle, the Leadership Principles – “Inspire to Grow,” “Execute with Purpose,” and “Shape our Future” – will also become visible in the Performance and Development Dialog. They are embedded in a revised competency model consisting of three skills each, tailored to the requirements of the respective target groups (employees, managers, and executives). Each competency is illustrated with exemplary behaviors. The aim is to create a shared understanding of performance and development – adapted to each target group.

Updates on Peoplenet

At the same time, the corresponding form on Peoplenet has been revised to make the Performance and Development Dialog not only stronger in content, but also more user-friendly and effective from a technical perspective.

• The form has a leaner, clearer structure – making it simple and intuitive to use.
• The individual potential evaluation is now transparently integrated – it will be visible and traceable for all employees.

More information about the new competencies and employee dialogs is available in the BENET Services section, as well as in the Peoplenet training program “Growth Dialogs at Bertelsmann.”