This article was written by Giulio Vecchia, Penta Foundation’s Project Manager. It is taken from the Penta 2024 Annual Social Report.
Penta is a global organisation, built upon the collaboration between people from diverse backgrounds. Over my eight years with the Foundation’s Operations team, I have had the chance to engage with a broad spectrum of partners, each bringing unique roles, experiences, career stages, and cultural perspectives. This stands out as a particularly rewarding part of working here.
Cultivating positive and productive relationships with these partners and within different multicultural contexts requires a blend of skills. We bring together established company principles, individual awareness, with a genuine inclination towards fostering human connections. And in many cases, effective negotiation and relationship management skills are also indispensable tools.
Recognizing the importance of these skills, Penta invests in its employees through its annual “Education Call”. I was very fortunate to be able to take part in a 2024 people management course funded by this initiative, together with several other colleagues. Delivered over four online sessions, the course provided insights into active listening techniques, public speaking, diplomatic approaches to issue resolution, and effective negotiation strategies.
Working on these techniques has been essential in enhancing my communication effectiveness within our dynamic, multifaceted, and international workplace. From a career perspective, it has equipped me with valuable skills that have also been useful in strengthening Penta’s negotiating position, allowing us to prioritise shared objectives over individual interests.
Initiatives like this Educational Call illustrate Penta’s commitment to its employee development, fostering a people-first approach and providing essential tools that not only benefit individual career growth but that also contribute to the organisation’s success in the global arena.