Describe yourself as a child in five words. Energetic, positive, very curious, outgoing and always seeking challenges. My mother had no fear, which was just as well, because I was always off on adventures. On beach holidays, I’d disappear for two or three hours, wandering off to chat with another family and ending up invited for lunch. I had no hesitation in approaching people or exploring new things. I’m still like that; curiosity is a major driving force for me. I’m a bit like a butterfly, fluttering through life. But I’m also disciplined – I get that from my father. If I really want something, I’ll make it happen. I won’t move on until I have.
Is there anything you’ve done that you wouldn’t let your children do? My children are allowed to do anything. Taking the occasional risk helps you grow, it’s how you discover who you are. My two eldest children are currently studying here in Maastricht. My daughter is getting a master’s in Neuropsychology and my eldest son is studying Medicine. No, I didn’t push them to choose UM – we visited open days at various universities. I love that I’m learning new things and making new contacts through them. For example, I’m currently working with the Faculty of Psychology to develop a programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Mozambique.
"At one point even the local policeman was listening to the children"
I always wash my hands. The moment I became a professor, I said I wanted to set up a meaningful project every two years. In 2019 I spoke with a colleague at the consulting firm where I work, who had just returned from Kenya. He told me that every year, 25 per cent of children in Kenya fall ill with infectious diseases and are unable to attend school for extended periods of time. I wondered: how can we encourage them to wash their hands? That’s how Hand Washing Angels was born, for which I recently received the Beta Sigma Gamma Business Achievement Award (for excellent leadership, ed.). Children learn to wash their hands at school with blue soap that leaves a temporary coating – Smurf foam, we call it – so you can easily see if you’ve missed a spot. At the end of the day, they get a stamp on their hand that only comes off after a few washes. This gets them talking about it at home. It soon became uncool to still have your stamp the next day. It’s wonderful to see how these children influence the adults around them. At one point, even the local policeman – who had, so to speak, never washed his hands in his life – was standing in the school playground listening to them.
I get angry when… It takes a lot to make me angry, but I do get annoyed with people who are only out for themselves or don’t put all their cards on the table, giving you the feeling that there’s more going on. If someone gets in the way of what I’m trying to achieve, I can become rather directive. I’m still learning how to handle this better.
"Don't forget that change creates fear"
The best thing about being a teacher? One of the reasons I agreed to become a professor is because I wanted to give back what I’ve learnt. I want to foster a sense of wonder in students and stimulate their thinking. Seeing them start to think critically, seeing that I’ve inspired them and made them feel like what they’re learning matters, is incredibly rewarding. It’s an addictive feeling.
The biggest mistake I see organisations make is… Forgetting that change creates fear. Managers underestimate this aspect, mistaking fear for mere resistance. But when you tell people ‘This or that is about to change’, their thoughts immediately go to what they will lose. Business is human. Act with empathy and ensure people understand why the change is necessary or why a particular decision was made. People are driven by meaning, so make sure they know the significance of the change. I’m currently working on my eighth book, The Positive Side of Change, which addresses this issue.
"Every year, I make a list of ten people who are important to me"
What do you look for in a friend? A sense of security, a safe haven. The feeling that you can talk to them about anything. A good friend is someone you can truly be yourself with – someone you can have fun with, but also feel calm around. Every year, I make a list of ten people who are important to me. I call or visit them to catch up and thank them for the role they play in my life and what they mean to me.
My dream home is… surrounded by nature. It’s a wooden house by a lake, with a deck to sit and play peaceful saxophone music as the sun sets. Perhaps it’s in Norway, or perhaps in Galicia, Spain. It’s just a fantasy – I’m always on the go – but it’s one I’ve had for a long time. Maybe it also reflects the current zeitgeist, the need to slow down and switch off every now and then. I think finding serenity will be my next adventure.