I am appreciated for my sharpness, my purity and enthusiasm. Of course there is also a downside to those qualities: I can come across as harsh and fierce – although that is not my intention. And my enthusiasm often leads me to forget to relax. Hence the photo on the left: relaxing on the clipper Stad Amsterdam with which I made a beautiful sailing trip in 2019.

In 1997 I participated in the training that is at the core of the work I do today: Core Skills Training. To develop individuals into a high performing team in a few days to me is addictive.

In reflection on why I do what I do, I saw that two profound experiences have probably fed this path. In elementary school I was left out by a group of girls I played with. That experience challenged my confidence in groups.

In high school, I joined a basketball team. We had no star players, but as a collective we were promoted to the premier league where we maintained ourselves for a number of years. Our team was diverse and partly because of that diversity we highly respected each other’s strengths. We brought out the best in each other and we were willing to go the extra mile.

Misfits! Films, music and books in which misfits (Frida Kahlo, Nina Simone, Ayn Rand) play a role, different views are described or sung (listen to the lyrics of Leonard Cohen), in which the good prevails and collaboration is key.