On October 11^th, I have sent out an “Appeal” to build a place in Europe where leaders can be nurtured holistically, before they dare to lead in a selflessly truth telling manner. Once they do that, we could trust them again, leading our banks, companies, governments and that means us – opening a new era of living, working, sharing and cooperating.

To me, it felt like putting my one pager in a bottle, throwing it into the network ocean. I didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t have to wait long before things started to happen either. Enthusiastic people willing to contribute or getting involved running the ‘holistic incubator for leaders’ as I call it now, contacted me from various countries in Europe, India and China. I tied my shoe lacers and went on field trips in Europe, collecting facts and receiving feedback.

Today, my life is turned upside down. A core team of three has been formed that will get into serious business in realising this place like no other exists today. What happened to be a mere “message in a bottle” is becoming reality now. Things are falling into place with tremendous pace. I am extremely grateful for and excited about this experience. It includes having to relocate to another country once more in my life, with all the hustle and bustle, good-byes and emotions involved. At the same time this comes with an enormous amount of understanding and appreciation, kindest support, as well as a feeling that the task at hand and I as a human being are well taken care of.

If you are interested in following how this “holistic incubator for leaders” takes shape, please read further. I shall keep everybody posted on a regular basis via this blog. Please bear with me that certain details have to remain undisclosed for the moment until everything is signed, sealed and delivered. Curious? Please continue reading. read more ›

We have lost trust in many of the people in our society who hold leadership responsibilities in our banks, companies and governments. They give us the impression that they only seek to do what will benefit them. We would like them to be role models. We would like them to embody values that serve the greater good. But most of the time they don’t do that. Why? Is it so difficult?

Yes, it is extremely difficult for someone who is suffering from the “thinker’s syndrome”. People affected by it do their best to control themselves, other people, circumstances and nature by logic and analysis. They only rely on the ability of the left hand side of their brain. That is also the reason why they perceive themselves as separate from other people, the company, global business, the community and our planet. read more ›

Last week I was listening to a special lecture on “Creating Sustainable Value for Shipping” organised by the Hamburg School of Business Administration. Having worked in the industry myself as a European Marketing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, MD of Hapag-Lloyd Belgium and later as CEO of Ahlers, I left the lecture inspired by one person only. The person who dared to tell the naked truth based on a holistic view read more ›

Do you sometimes ask yourself whether you are in danger of burning out? Here comes a check list with explanations that will help you to get a good view on how you are doing.

Burnout is created by negative stress. You experience negative stress when you feel that there is a conflict between what is expected of you or you at east feel obliged to do and what you really want. Most of this stress is created by three kinds of relationships. read more ›

In business, we are uncertain about the future, as we have never been before. It directly translates to our own future and well being. They seem to be severely threatened now. The Euro zone crisis, the future of the US-economy, the slow down of the merging markets, all resulting in increasing criticism of capitalism and the downside of it for those who are not at the gaining end. Which is true for most people living on our planet now. read more ›