Inspiration

Do the right things at the right time! Today is Pi Day, the day to highlight the mathematical constant π (Pi ≈ 3.14159). In many countries, March 14 is written as 3/14, so approximate π. Pi (π) is one of the most fascinating numbers in mathematics and physics. In addition [...]

The Art of Deep Listening Do you have the feeling that: People are talking past each other during team meetings? People are mainly focused on their own story? Real connection is hard to find? You may recognize this: while someone is talking, you are already thinking about what you want to say. Your conversation partner [...]

The sense and nonsense of good intentions Hopefully you're well recharged during the Christmas and New Year's period! If you've really settled down during these dark days, you're probably already starting to bubble and fizzle: new ideas to do things differently this year. I find it quite comical how [...]

'Connecting the dots, looking backwards,' is one of the mottoes of Guido Geerts, CEO and founder of the fast-growing high-tech company Delft Imaging Systems. Operating strongly from his gut feeling, Guido gives shape to his mission to eliminate injustice from the world. Back in 2008, well before the hype, he introduced artificial intelligence into medical [...]

That seems quite a logical question at first glance. But if we look deeper, it is fascinating that the answer to the question is quite often in the negative. Why is it that we do all sorts of things that don't make us wag our tails, that don't make us happy? What causes us to [...]

Of course, it is no coincidence that Edo Righini is in an honorable 7th place in the Frits Top 50. In our podcast Bezielde Zaken, we get to know the man who, as director, is transforming the Muziekgebouw Frits Philips into an inclusive concert hall with great cultural diversity. His inspirational leadership is inspired by the steps of Stairway to [...].

The business world is in the midst of a meteoric transformation. Old leadership models no longer work. For you as a leader, this means not just going with the flow, but being at the forefront with a new kind of leadership. You want to grow with good leadership, human leadership. Because your people are crucial to achieving your growth ambitions. Effective leadership is [...]

'Music is the language of the soul. It comes to you. Like the works of Bach, you don't make that up.' Speaking is Jeroen de Haas, director-owner of Pipple, a fast-growing data science company. In addition to Jeroen's passion for music, he has great analytical acumen. The sky is the limit for him. A Nobel Prize [...]

Today's world is changing faster than ever before. With these changes come new challenges, especially in the workplace. Young generations, such as millennials and Generation Z, are not thriving in the current culture at most companies. Traditional, hierarchical corporate structures and work cultures no longer meet their needs and expectations. The result? A [...]

Do you have ambitious growth plans? Are you experiencing challenges in your business and striving for better results? More importantly, do you want to bring your team along in this exciting development? At Paradise Shaper, we understand the challenges companies face when looking to grow. We know that scaling up requires more than just business acumen. It takes guts, [...]

Scale your business with the Paradise Shaper method. The world is evolving at a rapid pace. Successful companies know how to adapt quickly to changing times. Traditional leadership is no longer enough. It's time for companies to scale up to a new era of wise leadership. Are you ready for this [...]

In the Netherlands' smartest region, things are pinching; lots of vacancies, an insane housing shortage and stuck commuting. What solution moves are possible for Eindhoven and its surroundings to compete at the highest level? In this Bezielde Zaken, we have the honor of talking with Paul van Nunen, director of Brainport, [...]

It's time to scale up! As an ambitious leader, you want to scale your team or business as effectively and successfully as possible. We understand your ambition and are here to help you grow - not only your company, but also your team and yourself. Because scale-up leaders dare to look in the mirror. Leadership [...]

Merging work and home is the mission of Koen van Loon, owner of Shared Workspace at KRAGT. At Strijp in the heart of Eindhoven, what was once the forbidden city of Philips, old factories have been transformed into modern office complexes. Through KRAGT, Koen rents out beautifully designed workspaces to anyone who likes to work in a heavenly environment. In [...]

What does the employee of 2030 look like? As an employer, how can you best respond to that? These two questions are leading in the discussions Dennis van Dijk, founding partner of Forp, has with his clients. In doing so, Dennis addresses the entrepreneurial issue of our time. For most companies it is a [...]

When you talk about hospitality and delicious food in Eindhoven, you talk about Bas Strijbosch of Restaurant 1910. Bas owns this stylish restaurant on the lively Wilhelminaplein. Every day it is fully booked. Guests who eat there get a culinary experience. Of course, this has not been done overnight. It continuously requires full attention [...].

A real power lady, Eva van Rikxoort, PhD, CEO and founder of the fast-growing and innovative company Thirona. Thirona is a company that by using AI (artificial intelligence) helps the doctor in the hospital to be a doctor again. AI is not scary as many people think but rather allows patients to [...]

How nice to have Tineke Wijbenga, co-owner of Wijbenga & Tromp Architects and Advisors, as a guest on our podcast Soulful Matters! I know Tineke from my previous life at the Higher Hotel School. From the hospitality industry, Tineke entered the world of engineers. There she is a real tastemaker. The experience and emotion [...]

Does the devil in you come out when you are no longer treated as human? Who is the human being at the core? Paul Raaijmakers, manager Learning, Development and Innovation at Amarant draws inspiration from books from World War II. This leads him to beautiful discoveries. His heart beats faster when he deals with what it really [...]

With none other than Peter Dalmeijer and Yvonne Stams of Training Institute Vidarte, Paul Smilde and I started a conversation about the power of constellations. What a beautiful deepening this gives! Peter and Yvonne are real life artists. What is the art of living? How do you integrate that into your leadership? What gold do you have in your hands? For Peter and Yvonne, [...]

'If you're going to be there then you better be present'. A wonderful quote that inspires Jacques in his leadership. Being truly present in a humble way, is that the secret to Jacques success? Jacques is director/owner of GBO Innovation Makers based in Helmond. His company exudes a wonderfully creative and easy-going atmosphere. Every space [...]

Her enthusiasm is contagious. Her stories touch. No wonder the conversation Paul and I had with Jackeline Tullenaar, rector of the Luzac in Eindhoven, was inspiring. How does she work to create a spirited environment for her adolescents and her teachers? What suggestions does she have for our brand new Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf? When is her school a paradise? [...]

Suppose you are hired to structure P&O at companies but are averse to structure yourself. What advice do you give then? How do you structure your own company? For our new podcast Bezielde Zaken, Paul and I had a particularly open conversation with Jeroen Peeters, managing partner of DPO2. What is his thinking? How does he voice [...]

"I sometimes feel like the grandmother of the company," says Margot van Soest with a wink. It not only indicates how young and fast-growing SThree is but also hints at the wisdom from which she taps. At the Zuidas in Amsterdam, Paul Smilde and I spoke with Margot about the wishes and demands of millennials, people-oriented work in [...]

Our new podcast Soulful Matters is online. This time Paul Smilde and I spoke with Thijs Glasz. I got to know Thijs, director of HR at the listed and Icelandic company Össur, while writing "Feeling for Inspiration. His enthusiastic attitude, love for his work and balanced outlook on life makes him [...]

For the second podcast Soul Matters, Paul Smilde and I spoke to none other than the publisher of my book "Feeling for Inspiration," Stella de Jager. Stella is director of S2 publishers. It is a beautiful, candid conversation in which very clearly Stella's inspiration comes to the fore. In the world of traditional publishers where it [...]

Are you, like Paul Smilde and I, curious about how successful leaders create a spirited work environment and get results? Do you want to know what their key to success is? Our first podcast Inspired Business is online! Every month we have a conversation with a spirited leader from our network in which we look for their [...]