Why I coach
All the leaders I’ve ever worked with were intelligent people, but not all of them were great leaders, or even pleasant to work with. The ones who were, engaged with people in a way that made them feel seen, capable, part of something meaningful. I wanted to help give more people that experience, so I decided to pivot from HR to coaching.
The same insights and techniques apply in other contexts, too. Clients often mention something like “Oh I meant to tell you, I thought of our conversation when my partner said [this], so I responded [like that]. It was a total game changer.” When you learn to hold your own and at the same time make space for the other person in conversation, the conversation can go a whole lot deeper. It connects.
My journey
Originally from Flanders in Belgium, I have lived in other countries most of my adult life. For me, home is where I decide to make it. A few years ago I set up home on Portugal’s south coast. I love the outdoors life here, and the way I can combine work with enjoying swimming in the sea, hiking, enjoying life with friends from all over.
Lead with heart and inner strength
Coaching to lead with heart from a confident inner strength is the most meaningful contribution I can make to this complex world. Besides being there for my children, of course.
That became clear to me through years of working in growing tech and (bio)pharma businesses, combined with studies in psychology and training in transformative coaching.
I am an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with a particular interest in how we can regulate ourselves so we still make good choices when the pressure is on.
Being able to do that can help us have constructive conversations and better relationships, make well-considered decisions, and operate from a core inner strength.