17 Dec

Why silence makes better leaders: the neuroscience of stillness

Man meditating is great nature with head with brains projected in the air
In high-pressure leadership environments, silence is often mistaken for indecision. Yet the most important insights rarely emerge in the middle of noise. They surface afterwards, when reaction stops and space is created to think. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and supported by neuroscience, this article explores why silence is not the absence of leadership, but a condition for it....
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12 Dec

My leadership journey: from engineering teacher to global executive to leadership (team) coach

man leaning against glass window with his reflection in it
In this personal leadership journey, Jan Salomons shares how he transitioned from an engineering teacher to a global executive and ultimately to a leadership and executive coach. Drawing on more than 35 years of international leadership experience across complex organisations, he reveals the pivotal insights that shaped his purpose: leadership is human work, not just technical or operational skill....
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10 Dec

45+ and you need a new job? This is why professionals struggle more than their CV shows

Many professionals over 45 hear the same reassuring phrases when they lose their job—yet the reality they face in the Dutch labour market is far more complex. This article explores why experienced mid-career professionals struggle not because of capability, but because the hiring system interprets their broad value too narrowly. Based on the 4R Model (Reflect–Reset–Re-Align–Rise™) and real client...
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09 Dec

Stillness and reflection: the hidden courage behind authentic leadership

In a world full of noise and pressure, the most courageous leaders are not the loudest ones, but the ones who create space for stillness and honest self-reflection. Like a quiet bridge reflected in calm water, authentic leadership emerges when we stand steady in who we are and dare to look inward. Clarity, integrity, and presence begin not with...
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03 Oct

Science-backed habits to make you smarter

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...
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29 Aug

Find your true purpose

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...
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25 Jul

Make strong emotions work in your advantage

trong emotions aren’t the enemy — they’re leadership data. In today’s volatile and uncertain world, emotions like frustration or fear often mask deeper values and unmet needs. Reframing helps leaders decode those emotions, turning tension into insight and pressure into performance. In this post, Jan Salomons explores how emotional intelligence and reframing allow leaders to stay grounded in a...
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