Seeing a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon, a man decides to lend it a hand. He takes a pair of scissors and very carefully he cuts the cocoon open. Now the butterfly can move freely and fly away – he thinks. But that’s not what happens at all! The butterfly … Read full story
An essential skill possessed by today’s leaders is the ability to show empathy, which is why many training and coaching trajectories devote a lot of attention to developing this capacity. This sounds logical, but which form of empathy do we actually need to develop? According to Paul Ekman, an expert in the … Read full story
Today’s working environment consists increasingly of a complex network of virtual teams, project teams and self-managing teams. All these teams are under pressure to organise efficiently, perform effectively, and continually adapt to changing circumstances – all at breakneck speed. And it is assumed that the team members already know how to achieve … Read full story
In her book My Stroke of Insight (2006), Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a 37-year-old neuroanatomist, describes how her life changed completely in the space of just four hours as a result of a stroke. It rendered the logical and clear-thinking left hemisphere of her brain useless. This half of the brain controls … Read full story
We all tell stories or listen to them. For example, when bringing the children to bed, or at parties or commemorations, in the theatre, when we sit around the campfire or at home on the settee, etc. It’s something universal and it’s a part of every culture. Apart from the fact that … Read full story
I get so much pleasure from seeing people making the most of their talents rather than being intimidated by them. Especially when they express their dreams and desires without feeling guilty about it (and not giving in to the people who constantly tell them to ‘just act normal that’s crazy enough’). Being … Read full story
If you were to ask me what the essence of coaching is, I would say that it is a result-focused way of working designed to get your client into motion. By being curious, posing open questions, and keeping your own opinions to yourself, you stimulate a person’s capacity for self-research, self-learning, self-direction … Read full story
I recently took part in a conference organised by a Dutch Foundation for Kinship Questions. The aim of the foundation is to break the taboo surrounding the topic of special family situations and to get people talking more about it. Examples of such special situations include children born as a result of … Read full story
Wende Snijders (1978) is an artiste I admire enormously. As well as having a wonderful singing voice, the passion and commitment she shows in her performances is incredible. She almost literally becomes the song she interprets – she’s 100% ‘in the moment’. This is beautifully illustrated in her rendition of the Dutch … Read full story
During my leadership or coaching training sessions, I often get asked the question: ‘How far can I go in asking someone questions about their private life?’ And I always say: ‘As far as you’ve both agreed to go’. As a coach or manager, it can feel uncomfortable, sensitive or even undesirable to … Read full story
