Leadership is often celebrated as a position of strength, vision, and influence. Yet, what is less often discussed is the profound sense of loneliness that can accompany positions of power and responsibility. While the emotional and psychological toll of isolation in leadership is widely acknowledged, the neurological consequences are less explored but equally significant. The Neuroscience of Loneliness: What Happens in the Brain? Loneliness is more than a fleeting emotional

There are moments when everything looks fine from the outside. And yet, inside, something has quietly shut down. This is not a post about resilience. This is a conversation about the invisible weight many people carry , especially those who lead, parent, care, and give. The moment I knew I wasn’t really living I was standing in a room, leading a session on communication. The people were engaged. I even smiled. But something felt... mechanical. Later, in the stillness of a hot

Power structures sustain themselves through the illusion of necessity. Leaders are praised for solving crises, yet rarely questioned about why those crises emerged in the first place. Leadership, as it is commonly understood, is not about wisdom but about control, control over perception, over urgency, over narratives that justify endless intervention. The deeper question remains: Are we solving problems, or are we perpetuating them? The Myth of Reactive Leadership There is a

In leadership, and life, we’re constantly asked to balance two things that often seem to conflict: Telling the truth. Maintaining connection. The phrase  “hard on content, soft on relationships”  offers a way to hold both. It’s a powerful communication philosophy that allows us to be honest without being hurtful, clear without being cold. But this is more than a communication tactic. It’s a  neuroscience-backed strategy  that supports trust, performance, and emotional safety

Clear communication might sound simple, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in any organization. When we provide precise information, not only do tasks and processes run more smoothly, but we also positively affect the brain’s ability to understand, remember, and engage. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true: unclear or vague communication can create mental strain, misunderstandings, and disengagement that ripple across a team. In this newsletter, we’ll explore what hap

Neuroscience and Neurolinguistic can be of great use in business.  Lets explore how gossiping can have significant consequences for both mental health and group dynamics, affecting individuals and the overall environment in various ways: Mental Health Consequences Stress and Anxiety : Gossiping can create a culture of fear and mistrust, leading to increased stress and anxiety. People may constantly worry about being the subject of gossip. Lower Self-Esteem : Being the target

Today my newsletter gets a very personal drive.  My oldest one graduated yesterday. My girl did the Everest this last three years. She had much less air than most part of her class. She had moments of deep lonelinesses. She had moments of pure join. But was an Everest.  Today, and because I want to give her appreciation and my full support for the years to come. I publish in my newsletter the text that she wrote and was published by @HetParool.  My daughter didn't had time of

I don’t like putting people in boxes and I’m not particularly fond of labels either; I find stereotypes and generalisations...

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When people feel insecure they become animals. One time, some years ago, we were on an island for the weekend. One of the most peaceful...

Peter Koijen writes about the future and the learning from that we can take away for the corona crisis. The coronavirus has put a stress...

Management teams and organisations are coping with a lot of problems. Some examples are lack of profitability, underperformance of teams...

Dutch People are not direct, my Portuguese wife said. Well, as a Dutchman, I found that a pretty direct statement. And, as I know her,...

Leaders need coaching skills and coaches need leadership skills. Peter Koijen and Ligia Ramos from in2motivation explain. Coaching is the...

NLP does not exist. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is: What is NLP? How can I use it? The answer to this is that NLP...

So, how do you choose the country that suits you best? How do you avoid culture shock? This is the time of year when newcomers start...