Barclays worked with Udamon to create Leadership Sims that gave diverse early-career talent a safe space to practice navigating unspoken rules and building visibility with senior leaders

Early-career hires — particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds — often face an invisible learning curve: the cultural “rules of the game” no one explains, the pressure of making an impression, and the challenge of building networks without a roadmap. Standard training skims over these realities, leaving talent underprepared and at risk of disengagement.

Udamon turned lived stories from Barclays professionals into short, story-driven simulations. Learners practiced high-stakes moments — introducing themselves to senior leaders, finding sponsors, and making their value visible — in safe-to-fail rehearsal spaces. By grounding these scenarios in real experiences, the sims built trust, clarity, and confidence where it mattered most.

In progress — but early signals are strong. Learners reported sharper strategies for connecting with senior leaders, greater confidence to step up, and the rare feeling of being “seen” in the challenges they face.