Let’s talk busyness.
I spent some time traveling the last weeks, visiting hotels with conference facilities.
I love hotels with conference facilities. They’re a source of inspiration for stories.
Not only are the hotels happy Covid is under control, but so am I.
Last week I received a Whatsapp message from a good friend in the Netherlands.
He and I both meditate and call each other occasionally to discuss our experiences.
We’re both educated in economics.
He is, in my words, a hard-core finance guy who did well for himself. I’ve chosen the leadership side of business because I believe that’s where it all starts.… Read the rest
Work looks dramatically different in 2022.
The real question is whether it will ever change back again to where it has been.
Change back.
I don’t believe in things changing back to where they were.
So in my head, by definition, when things change, the status quo is left behind and will not return.… Read the rest
Today was a perfect day.
[Today was Monday this week]
Not everything I did was perfect, but there were enough moments I truly got inspired by what I was doing.
I’ve never believed in perfectionism, I’ve never tried to accomplish perfectionism, and I’ve never been upset if something was not perfect.… Read the rest
Last week I asked a business partner how he was doing.
I asked him what that meant.
He explained that he was almost always busy, ranging from extremely busy to good busy.
Good busy meant that work was not crazy but did not allow much thinking or reflection time.… Read the rest
For visionary leaders, one size fits all is over.
These leaders understand that people are different, with different needs, different contexts, and different aspirations for the future.
You can’t lead these people as if they’re all the same.
Erikjan Lantink
Last Tuesday, I wrote to you about my regret for not pursuing opportunities to exploit this model.… Read the rest
My biggest regret is something I did not do nearly fifteen years ago.
I was working in food retail and was part of a group of talents asked to define the organization’s future work strategy.
I had that feeling then, but now fifteen years later, I’m sure.… Read the rest
That was the argument from a traveler last Friday morning at 5.18 am when I was in a massive security line at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
The lady was talking to a security assistant and making her case that she was about to miss her flight with her group if she would not be allowed to get to the front of the line.… Read the rest
“Listen carefully!”
“Just like in communism, I can only talk to you and give you commands and information. You can’t reply or talk back. The good old times.”
Berlin tour guide
I think it still works in many companies precisely that way (remember Elon Musk), which is another sad story in itself.… Read the rest
Why are you doing what you’re doing currently in your life?
It’s a tiny seed I try to plant for some reflection and awareness.
To quote Andy from Headspace:
“Awareness is clarity, and clarity is life.”
Andy from Headspace
Isn’t that what it’s all about in life? To create clarity for ourselves, what matters most to us and in what direction we’re going?… Read the rest
Most of you, non-Dutch readers, have probably never heard of Arjen Lubach. He’s a Dutch comedian, although provocateur is probably a better word, with a daily show on Dutch TV.
In the past, he used to broadcast once a week, and with better quality in my opinion, but like most ambitious and successful program makers, more is more, and so we now can watch him daily.… Read the rest
We have a little coffee place in the next village over that we like to go to. It’s small, authentic, has excellent coffee, the best cakes, and started selling fresh bread last year as well.
There’s only one of it. It serves its unique purpose to people in the village and those who like to walk or bike in the forest nearby.… Read the rest
Personally, I find it hard to write about general business and leadership topics while the world is up in arms.
I’m doing a pretty good job of remaining focused on what I need to be focused on, while it’s clear that many others are continuously following the news and the latest developments.… Read the rest
I am deeply disturbed by the war that Mr. Putin started yesterday.
I woke up with the news yesterday morning before heading home after a brief vacation. For the rest of the day, I was off my usual self.… Read the rest
