Speerpunt 5
The hospitality industry has always fascinated me.
I guess it has to do with my curious mind, love for discovery and travel, and passion for making a difference in people’s lives.
When you work in hospitality, you need to have a feel for the fact that your customers are looking for a good experience while being away from their zone of comfort.… Read the rest
I love what I do.
Part of that love is the time I get to spend with clients.
I was privileged to spend time with a client in Madrid a few weeks ago.
Some clients include you in their entire program. Other clients are more reserved, which means dinner on your own.… Read the rest
I’m not a big believer in a sense of urgency as a driver of culture.
Every time I hear that sentence, the hairs on my neck raise, and a shiver runs through my spine.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in speed. Just not in urgency.
Almost always, when managers (not leaders) utter these words, there’s more to it than just urgency. … Read the rest
Should I ask this as a question or make a statement out of it?
That’s the question I’m asking myself, pondering the title for this insight.
If I’m true to my point about curiosity, I should write it as a question.
But today, I prefer a statement.… Read the rest
It’s a Thursday, shortly after noon.
I planned to write for one hour before I headed out for a massage.
I’m now thirty-six minutes into my hour of writing, and these are the first sentences I’m writing.
I scanned through my list of open topics, I have about twenty available at any time, but none inspires me.… Read the rest
“I don’t pay you to think; I pay you to execute.” — Old School CEO.
Earlier in my career, I spent four years in a company where that was the culture early on.
I was on an expat assignment abroad, and part of my responsibilities was helping design en deliver interventions that would change the culture. … Read the rest
Last Friday, I started the day with a slight concern that it was going to be one of those days when you ask yourself at the end of the day:
“What did I actually accomplish today?”
I woke up a bit restless.
I knew I had set pretty aggressive goals for the day.… Read the rest
Good news!
The most depressing day of the year is behind us.
Last Monday was Blue Monday, the third Monday of the year. And apparently also the most depressing day of the year.
I was not aware.
Until I met with a client at 5 pm that day during a video call.… Read the rest
Consistency is key.
When you want to progress in life, you need to show up and deliver what you set out to deliver.
That’s what I’ve shown with my writing in 2022.
52 weeks. Two stories per week, every Tuesday and Friday morning. One hundred four accomplished.
My god, it’s getting worse every year.
And writing this email to you is adding to the problem, I’m fully aware.
The start of a new year is THE natural moment to bring closure to what has been and start working on what will be.
Let’s face it; when you use a paper journal that leverages a calendar, you probably enjoy a fresh new bundle of paper. … Read the rest
Twenty Twenty Three.
I wouldn’t say I like it.
I don’t like odd years. I don’t know why, but even years are more compelling.
Twenty-Twenty-Two sounded so much better. That’s water under the bridge now.
This is day three of the next five years.
Two days are done, 1824 days to go.… Read the rest
A friend of mine asked me recently whether I was happy with my progress over the past five years.
For some weird reason, my mind went to Lenin and his New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921.
I don’t remember many things from my primary education, but I remember the NEP from Lenin.… Read the rest
When was your last tough love conversation?
What was tough about it?
When and how did the love part show its face?
Before I continue, I assume you’re familiar with the principle of tough Love.
Tough Love is the ability to be direct, constructive, specific, and to the point about someone’s behavior while balancing this with a general feeling of empathy, understanding, connection, and compassion.… Read the rest
There are days you will not soon forget in your life.
Last Friday was a day I rather forget, but that’s probably not going to happen.
You’re reading this post today, the following Friday. A lot has happened in between, so the news is old.
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.
What’s the best team you’ve ever been part of?
You can think about this question in the broadest meaning. Not just business teams, sports teams, and perhaps a team of friends or family at home.
I classify people ‘working’ together as teamwork.
I often ask this question as an introduction to teamwork. … Read the rest
What do you do with milk that has expired?
What do you do with clothes that are no longer in fashion?
Recently I heard the term ‘old school’ again from two different sources within two days.
It had been a while since I heard the term, so it triggered a reaction. … Read the rest
Imagine.
You’re the star of the company or team.
Thanks to your contribution, the company makes significant profits, is recognized as a leading brand, is admired by everyone in the industry, and is a heavily sought-after employer.
You know the results of the company (or team) would dive if you decided to leave or something would happen to you.… Read the rest
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
