Yes, diversity is improving.
Yes, inclusion is improving.
And also, the optics are improving.
What I mean with optics is that when I listen to (predominantly white, middle-aged, male) managers, it still sounds to me that they’re becoming more diverse and inclusive because they have to.
Because they’re forced by government regulations, public opinion, by younger generations, by the times that are changing.… Read the rest
If you have been driving through the Netherlands recently, you had time to look around you.
For sure.
Perhaps you’ve never driven through the Netherlands, but the story still matters to you.
For a few years now, you can’t drive faster than 100 kilometers per hour on Dutch highways.
“Life is an unforgiving laboratory.”
Interesting quote from the book “Be Exceptional” by Joe Navarro.
He mentions it tongue and cheek as he talks passionately about self-mastery. No further elaboration on why he thinks so, but I picked up on the term, and I love it.
You have one life!
That was, in essence, the core message of my last insight.
How you spend your life is totally up to you and nobody else. Please don’t come to me with the nonsense that how you live your life depends on others.
It doesn’t.
You decide.
Recently the world population reached 8 billion people.
That’s 8 billion people that are part of a worldwide community of human beings that need each other to grow, flourish, be happy, and create fulfillment in their lives.
Roughly (very roughly) 20% of those 8 billion are children. That leaves about 6 billion adults.… Read the rest
“The annexation of the four Ukrainian regions by Russia is unacceptable.”
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs
This is a quote from a Dutch politician from last week.
He addressed the Dutch press before he went ahead and summoned the Russian ambassador to the Netherlands to convey the same message.
He got the order wrong and should have talked to the ambassador first. … 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
Last weekend I went to see the sequel of Top Gun.
Before you decide not to read further, please don’t worry; I’m not going to reveal any of the plot or big scenes or how the movie ends.
You got to love those good old interview questions.
Last week I had a conversation about interview questions. The person I talked to shared her annoyance with questions like, “where do you want to be in five years from now.”
She shared with me that she didn’t see how that was relevant to someone landing a job right now.… Read the rest
You need a breather.
Seriously, when was the last time you consciously paid attention to your breathing?
When was the last time you sat with your breathing and paid full attention to you filling your lungs with air and then releasing the air from your lungs?
What’s your first reaction when you see this headline?
When I read this quote last week, my brain went into a pirouette that would have won gold at the most recent Olympic Games.
Meaning that for me there are different twists to this quote with both positive and negative implications.
While the author’s intentions were positive, it’s easy to point at the downsides of demonstrating vulnerability as well.… Read the rest
I love golf.
It’s one of the best sports out there. Golf is one of those sports that, when you believe you’ve mastered it, it throws you right back to a level where you feel like a beginner again.
Golf is about mastery.
It’s not just about mastering the technique of hitting a golf ball well, but it’s, even more, a battle of the mind.… Read the rest
I started writing this insight when the world still seemed to be sort of normal.
I have a folder with topics and draft posts that I regularly update when I get inspired by an interesting topic.
After I write my first sentences down, I continue if the words flow immediately or pause if I want the topic to evolve a little.… Read the rest
Freedom seems to be the latest buzzword in selling all kinds of online training and web solutions to people who want to start their own businesses.
While building my website a year ago, I subscribed to several providers, and I’m still receiving emails from providers that I find worthwhile reading.
Some of them are funny, some of them provide helpful content, and some of them fill me in on the latest technology developments.… Read the rest
I consider myself outspoken and not afraid to voice my opinion when I disagree.
It’s who I am.
It’s how I was raised, and it’s part of the Dutch culture.
We’re direct, curious, and want to know why we’re doing something.
How often have you heard one of your leaders say the words “speak up”?
Or perhaps, how many times have you said them yourself?
I know that I’ve been in a few situations myself when I felt compelled to express those words. And I’ve also heard them being spoken to me a few times.… Read the rest
22 (BIG) little experiments to consider
My last post for 2021. On this last day of 2021.
What a year it has been.
Over the past weeks, I’ve reflected enough, so it’s time to look forward now.
Tomorrow we’ll start 2022 together, and as always, there is a lot to look forward to, and there are also lots of reasons to be optimistic.… Read the rest
You’re just better prepared.
Let me explain.
First, for context purposes, ‘dare’ is the third cue in my playbook. Dare follows ‘pause’ and ‘be.’ I know, a bit of a soft opening, but it matters to the story.
You may recall that my recent departure from a corporate role was considered courageous by some.… Read the rest
Last week I came across an interview with Paul van Vliet, a famous comedian in my home country the Netherlands.
Paul was asked what he thought was most important in life.
His answer was creativity.
He connected creativity to the many things that are part of our lives: work, relationships, hobbies, sports, entertainment.… Read the rest
