In a VUCA world, the leaders and professionals who thrive are not the ones with the most experience — but the ones with the best learning habits. Inspired by Daniel H. Pink’s science-based insights, this article explores eight powerful habits that sharpen thinking, build resilience, and accelerate growth. Whether you’re leading in uncertainty or navigating a career transition after...
Redundancy in the Netherlands is often misunderstood as a personal failure, while in reality it is a legally structured process with strong employee protections. This article explains your rights, the procedures employers must follow, and the timeframes involved — from UWV approval and notice periods to reassignment obligations, dismissal bans, transition payments and WW benefits. With clarity and compassion,...
The 4R Model—Reflect, Reset, Re-Align, Rise™—emerged from more than 35 years of leading and coaching in complex, high-pressure environments, combined with solid foundations in transition theory, emotional intelligence, identity work, and psychological safety. Supported by globally respected research (including HBR), the model provides a clear, humane framework that helps people navigate redundancy, burnout, and major career shifts. Instead of...
Struggling with a new boss? You’re not alone. This article explains the psychology behind leadership transitions, why your brain reacts the way it does, and what practical steps help you rebuild clarity and trust—especially in high-pressure operational environments.
When TNT’s global network went dark during the NotPetya cyberattack, every system failed — but people didn’t. In this story, Jan Salomons shares how leadership, trust, and adaptability kept Europe’s largest logistics network running manually for days. It’s a story of crisis leadership in a VUCA world — where volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity tested every level of society,...
Purpose isn’t a slogan or a statement — it’s a force that moves you. In this post, Jan Salomons explores the difference between intellectual purpose and deep purpose: the kind that calls you into action even when it’s uncomfortable. Drawing on insights from Frederic Laloux, his coaching practice, and his experience in VUCA leadership, he explains how purpose guides...
Change doesn’t fail because of poor plans — it fails because people haven’t made the psychological transition. In this article, Jan Salomons explores his formula for successful change, combining shared vision, urgency, leadership, learning, and capacity. Drawing on his decades of experience and his VUCA leadership approach, he explains how leaders can guide teams through endings, transitions, and new...
Busyness has become a badge of honor, but it rarely leads to impact or well-being. In this post, Jan Salomons explores why being busy is more often a habit than a necessity — and how leaders can shift from managing time to managing focus. In a VUCA world, where speed and complexity dominate, clarity and reflection become the real...
After my last post — “Is it time to stay or move on?” — someone asked, “What about disengaged managers?” It’s a fair question — and maybe the real one. Research shows only one in four managers is engaged, and when leaders disconnect, their teams follow. Disengagement often starts when managers stop reflecting on why they lead. Regular reflection...
Fear can quietly take over organizations — through silence, control, and pressure — until trust disappears and performance collapses. In this article, Jan Salomons explores how fear-based leadership emerges and what leaders can do to reverse it. He shares five practical ways to rebuild trust, including how to reframe control, invite openness, and restore team rhythm. In a VUCA...









