15 Aug

Beyond being busy: how leaders can reclaim focus and purpose

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 leadership differentiators. Learn how to move from motion to meaning through self-awareness, attention, and purpose, and discover why slowing down...
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11 Jul

Finding the coaching in criticism: turning feedback into a growth advantage

Feedback is often misunderstood as something to endure rather than embrace. Yet in my years as an executive and leadership coach, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from giving the perfect feedback—it comes from receiving it well. When we move beyond defensiveness and see criticism as potential coaching, feedback turns from a threat into a tool for learning. The moment we shift our mindset from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What can I learn here?”, we unlock one of...
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27 Jun

Debunking the Ikigai venn diagram myth

book cover with ikigai written in Japanese
Discover the true essence of Ikigai—far beyond the popular Venn diagram. Rooted in Japanese culture, Ikigai is about finding joy and purpose in the small, meaningful moments of everyday life. Learn how this concept has been misunderstood and how embracing its authentic meaning can lead to a more fulfilling existence.
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09 May

Is It Time to Stay or Move On? Why Regular Career Reflection Makes You a Stronger Leader

In today’s fast-changing workplace, leaders and teams benefit from regularly reflecting on whether their current environment still supports their energy, growth, and purpose. Using a structured reflection questionnaire, I help leaders gain clarity on what strengthens or drains them — and whether they should stay, adjust, or move on. The same process transforms teams by uncovering hidden dynamics, restoring passion, and realigning people with the mission and vision. This reflective approach boosts engagement, performance, and retention, while preventing silent...
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02 May

Are you getting burned-out? Read this!

In today’s fast-paced world, work easily takes center stage in our identity. Inspired by Simone Stolzoff’s “How to Reclaim Your Life from Work,” this reflection exercise helps you rebalance what truly matters. The Circle of You invites you to visualize how your time and energy are divided — and what your ideal balance would look like. By comparing the two, you’ll see where small, meaningful shifts can begin. Your job should support your life, not define it. This exercise...
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21 Mar

It happened to me — and it changed how I lead forever

angry man shouting
I still remember the moment I lost my cool. The frustration had been building for days, and during a routine meeting with one of my subordinates, I snapped. My words were sharp, my tone unkind, and the look on their face—shock and hurt—was a painful reminder that I’d crossed a line. As leaders, we often pride ourselves on staying composed, but we’re human, too. That day, I learned the hard way that managing others starts with managing yourself. Emotional outbursts...
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28 Feb

What’s in Your Leadership “Shopping Cart”? Shaping Your Narrative for Growth

What’s in your leadership “shopping cart”? The narratives we tell ourselves shape our identity, decisions, and effectiveness as leaders. This post explores the "Shopping Cart Theory" as a metaphor for self-reflection, highlighting how minor actions reveal deeper leadership qualities. By examining what you carry—accomplishments, fears, or values—you can reshape your story to unlock growth, authenticity, and resilience. Discover how small, conscious choices and a guided coaching process can transform your leadership journey.
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21 Feb

Exponential growth through self-awareness

pussycat seeing a lion in the mirror
Boosting Your Self-Awareness: Free Online Course (60 Minutes) Unlock the power of self-awareness to transform your leadership and personal life! In this dynamic course, you’ll discover how self-awareness enhances decision-making, emotional intelligence, and resilience at work, while also fostering stronger relationships, emotional well-being, and authentic living privately. With practical tools and actionable steps, you’ll learn to reflect effectively and create meaningful change in just 60 minutes. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself—free until 28-Feb-25. Take the first step...
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17 Jan

What Harvard Business Review has really taught us about coaching

coaching fingerpoint hand
Over the past decade, Harvard Business Review has shown that coaching is not about fixing people—it's about helping leaders rise. HBR highlights coaching as a collaborative partnership that strengthens self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complexity. From executive development to performance and long-term growth, the research is clear: coaching improves leadership behavior, deepens team trust, and creates healthier, more resilient organizations. At its core, effective coaching is built on listening, reflective questioning, aligned goals, and honest accountability—exactly...
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