Throughout my career, tension and stress have had a negative impact on my performance as a manager
I have held managerial and leadership positions in large (corporate) organizations for over 25 years—remarkable roles that offered invaluable lessons and collaboration with exceptional individuals.
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Yet, the journey was not without its challenges. The weight of responsibility and a desire to excel sometimes made it difficult. During demanding periods, my dedication and hard work intensified. Paradoxically, the more I invested, the harder it became to maintain perspective, leading to heightened tension and stress. Rushed and overwhelmed, the pressure manifested as a shorter fuse, increased emotional responses, and restlessness and tension in my body. My head started racing, leaving less room for the needs of others. Matters seemed magnified, and my insecurity about performance grew, making me react more defensive.
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In essence, stress negatively impacted the qualities that defined my managerial strength: interpersonal, social, and communication skills.
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During periods of relaxation when I didn't exhaust myself with work, I was actually a much better leader and manager. I had peace of mind, was more confident, my decisions were clearer, I had more attention for the people in my environment, I was more empahtetic, collaboration flowed more naturally, and connections deepened. Being a 'relaxed leader' brought out the best in me.
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​Maintaining this balance, however, proved challenging. When times got rough, the downward spiral of stress was there again.
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In 2020, amidst the challenges of battling cancer during the pandemic, stress remained a constant. Even after recovering, the stress lingered, affecting my mental and physical well-being. Recognizing the pervasive impact of stress on health, I decided to make a change.
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I delved into stress management and found out how stress is influencing our brain and body and what the impact is on our mental and physical health. Some doctors estimate that up to 75-90% of our health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress.
I started experimenting with various methods and utilizing neuro- and biofeedback to measure brain activity and physical tension. This insight accelerated my learning and transformation.
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Several years have passed, and I now feel like a different person.
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I no longer feel rushed, there is room in my head to see things clearly and I feel better physically. This allows me to prioritize and set boundaries much better, so I make time every day to keep myself in this state. I can deal much more calmly with situations that would have caused me tension in the past. In those cases where I experience emotions or stress (starting my own business can be quite exciting 😉), I recognize that much earlier and have the tools to put my head and body back to rest.
Overall, I am happier, more effective, positive, energetic, and balanced. Clear thinking has empowered me to make better choices, including the decision to assist others in achieving balance, so they too can navigate stress and (work-related) challenges. My wish is for everyone to become not only a better and more effective manager but, above all, a happier person through relaxation!
​What else you need to know about me?
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Having navigated the complexities of leadership and management in large corporate organizations, I understand the unique challenges that come with these roles.
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I have a profound appreciation for change and have spearheaded various organizational transformations within the business world. Currently, my emphasis is on another kind of change: fostering personal growth.
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Change and transformation can be elusive, often challenging to implement due to their subtle and intricate nature, which is why I recognizing the need to make change tangible, insightful, and measurable. Next to that, I exclusively utilize methods grounded in scientific evidence. My approach aims to bring clarity to the transformative process, ensuring that each step is supported by measurable results.
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My vision on stress & leadership
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A relaxed leader is undeniably a better leader!
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I firmly believe in the potency of a people-oriented leadership approach, one that centers on employee well-being, team participation, inclusivity, collaboration, and the creation of a supportive, safe work environment.
To embody this leadership style effectively, a leader must exemplify qualities such as empathy, caring, flexibility, strong social and communication skills, and the ability to connect and build trust.
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Regrettably, these very qualities are often compromised in the face of tension and stress.
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Especially in managerial roles, where responsibility and pressure are ever-present, many individuals grapple with stress. The accumulation of stress diminishes your capacity to maintain perspective, propelling you to work harder and become more easily irritated and emotional. Consequently, stress intensifies, making relaxation more elusive.
To break free from this downward spiral and maintain a relaxed approach to leadership, it becomes crucial for managers to prioritize stress management. As a 'relaxed leader' with peace in your mind and relaxation in your body, the essential qualities required for successful leadership become more evident.
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If you knew me, you would know that I:
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- Love to travel! Together with my partner I travel all over Europe with our camper.
- Laugh too hard (but have fun in my life 😊).
- Chocolate makes you happy. My day is not successful if I have not had a piece in the evening after dinner.
- Take a walk in the dunes as often as possible - which are fortunately in our backyard.
- Love to sing, preferably very loudly. It gives me a sense of freedom and it makes me happy. I used to dream of becoming a singer, now I have more sense of reality 😉.
