My toolbox
Coaching
Public Speaking
Facilitation
Leadership
Communication
Mediating
Podcasting
Buisness process development
Sustainable decision making
Root cause analysis and problem solving
Bachelor of Business Administration (BI)
Masters of Management Science in Management Science (VUB)
Drama Triangle
The drama triangle, developed by Stephen Karpman, describes three roles people adopt in conflict: the Victim, who feels powerless and seeks rescue; the Rescuer, who intervenes to help and often enables dependency; and the Persecutor, who blames or criticizes, reinforcing the victim’s powerlessness.
These roles create unhealthy dynamics in all forms of relational communication by perpetuating blame, dependency, and disempowerment, preventing genuine connection and accountability.
In families and relationships, it can lead to cycles of conflict and unmet emotional needs.
At work and in companies, it fosters blame-shifting, burnout, and poor collaboration, undermining productivity and trust.
In politics and international relations, the triangle can escalate tensions, reinforce polarization, and inhibit constructive solutions, perpetuating cycles of conflict and mistrust.
Empowerment Dynamics
The empowerment dynamics model emphasizes moving away from the drama triangle's roles of victim, rescuer, and persecutor, into the more balanced roles of creator, coach, and challenger.
It reframes relational communication by fostering clarity, collaboration, and accountability, encouraging individuals to take ownership of their experiences rather than blaming or seeking control.
At home and in families, this creates healthier emotional boundaries and mutual respect, while in relationships, it fosters trust and shared growth.
In work environments and companies, empowerment dynamics enhance team cohesion, innovation, and leadership by promoting constructive feedback and shared goals.
On a larger scale, in politics and between nations, it shifts focus from conflict and blame to cooperative problem-solving and sustainable, inclusive solutions.
Non-Violent Communication
Learning Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, offers several key benefits for individuals and groups. It fosters empathetic listening and encourages individuals to express their needs and feelings without judgment or blame, which reduces defensiveness and conflict.
By practicing NVC, companies can improve communication, leading to more collaborative and effective teamwork, and fostering a culture of trust and respect.
In families and relationships, NVC helps build stronger connections by encouraging vulnerability and mutual understanding, making it easier to resolve conflicts with compassion.
Overall, applying NVC leads to healthier communication, emotional safety, and improved conflict resolution, creating more harmonious environments in both personal and professional settings.
Radically Honest Communication
Radical Honesty, developed by Brad Blanton, encourages open, unfiltered communication that fosters genuine connection and trust.
In companies, it can lead to a more transparent and collaborative environment, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing problem-solving.
In families, it helps break down emotional walls, creating deeper understanding and emotional intimacy.
For relationships, practicing Radical Honesty encourages vulnerability, reduces conflict, and builds authentic connections based on mutual respect.
By removing the barriers of fear and dishonesty, individuals and groups can create healthier, more effective communication dynamics.
Wheel of Consent
The Wheel of Consent, created by Betty Martin, helps individuals and groups clearly understand and navigate the dynamics of giving, receiving, and accepting touch, services, gifts and energy.
In companies, it fosters clear communication and respect in both professional and personal boundaries, enhancing collaboration and reducing misunderstandings.
In families, it can improve emotional connection and consent, making interactions more intentional and harmonious.
In relationships, it encourages mutual respect, deeper intimacy, and personal empowerment by promoting the practice of saying "yes" or "no" with confidence.
By applying these techniques, individuals and groups cultivate an environment of trust, consent, and clear communication, enhancing overall well-being and strengthening connections.
Poly Vagal Theory
Learning Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, offers profound benefits for enhancing emotional regulation and fostering healthier communication.
By understanding the vagus nerve's role in the autonomic nervous system, individuals and groups can learn how to respond more effectively to stress and conflict.
In companies, applying Polyvagal Theory improves leadership, team dynamics, and decision-making by promoting calm and safety in high-pressure environments.
In families and relationships, it helps to reduce reactive behaviors and encourages more empathetic, regulated responses, fostering trust and connection.
Ultimately, integrating this theory promotes resilience, empathy, and cooperation, leading to stronger, more harmonious interactions in both personal and professional settings.
IFS
The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model by Richard C. Schwartz helps individuals understand and harmonize the different parts of their personality, fostering emotional balance and self-awareness.
By applying IFS in companies, it promotes healthier communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork, as people become more attuned to their internal dynamics and those of others.
In families and relationships, it facilitates deeper empathy, understanding, and connection, allowing individuals to recognize and heal triggers that create disconnection. In politics, IFS can be transformative by encouraging leaders to engage from a place of self-awareness and compassion, reducing polarization and fostering collaboration.
Ultimately, the model supports a more integrated, compassionate, and effective approach to navigating complex human dynamics, creating more harmonious environments across all sectors.
Attachment Theory
Learning and applying attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, offers deep insights into how individuals form emotional bonds and respond to relationships.
Our attachment style profoundly shapes how we approach relationships, work, and finances.
For example, an anxious attachment style may lead to seeking external validation, which can manifest as a fear of failure or over-reliance on others in entrepreneurial endeavors, potentially causing burnout or financial instability.
Conversely, an avoidant attachment style might result in a reluctance to collaborate or seek help, leading to isolation in business and a tendency to hoard resources, creating an internal sense of scarcity despite external success.
In companies, knowledge about attachment theory enhances leadership and team dynamics by fostering secure connections, improving communication, and reducing conflict.
In families, it promotes healthier, more nurturing relationships by understanding attachment styles, which can lead to better parenting and stronger family bonds.
In romantic and personal relationships, it provides a framework for understanding behaviors like dependency, trust, and intimacy, supporting healthier connections.
Lastly, in politics, it helps leaders understand collective behaviors, cooperation, and emotional needs of the populace, guiding more empathetic and effective decision-making.
Sound Therapy
Learning and applying sound healing can foster emotional and physical well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing clarity.
In companies, it can improve communication, collaboration, and creativity by helping individuals become more centered and receptive.
For families and relationships, sound healing can support deeper emotional connection, empathy, and understanding, fostering harmony and reducing conflict.
In politics, it can encourage peaceful dialogue, empathy, and cooperation, potentially transforming divisive dynamics into more constructive, solution-focused conversations.
Overall, sound healing helps create environments where individuals can express themselves authentically, leading to healthier, more productive, and peaceful communities.
Somatic Work
Learning and applying somatic work can foster deeper self-awareness, helping individuals become more attuned to their body's responses, emotions, and triggers.
Somatic work focuses on the connection between the body and mind, using physical awareness and movement to release stored trauma, stress, and emotions. It helps individuals process experiences and emotions through body-based techniques, promoting healing and emotional regulation.
In companies, this practice enhances communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making, promoting healthier work environments and more effective leadership.
In families and relationships, somatic work supports empathy and connection, enabling individuals to navigate conflict with greater understanding and presence.
In politics, it can help leaders engage with complex issues from a place of embodied wisdom, reducing reactive behaviors and promoting more thoughtful, compassionate governance.
Overall, somatic work cultivates a more balanced, grounded approach to personal and professional interactions, fostering well-being and resilience in diverse settings.
Massage and Touch Therapy
Learning massage and touch therapy offers numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved communication, and emotional healing.
In companies, it can enhance employee well-being, foster stronger team connections, and increase productivity by creating a more relaxed work environment.
Within families and relationships, touch therapy helps build trust, empathy, and a deeper sense of connection, facilitating better emotional support.
In politics, it can promote diplomacy by reducing tension, encouraging open communication, and creating more harmonious interactions between individuals or groups with differing views.
Overall, integrating massage and touch therapy cultivates a culture of care and compassion, enhancing both individual and collective well-being across various sectors.
Mindfulness & Meditaion
Mindfulness and meditation enhances self-awareness, helping individuals in companies, families, relationships, and politics become more present and attuned to their thoughts and emotions, leading to better decision-making.
It promotes empathy and active listening, improving communication and reducing misunderstandings in all areas of life.
By fostering emotional regulation, mindfulness reduces stress, conflict, and reactivity, creating more harmonious environments.
It encourages a more collaborative and open-minded approach to problem-solving, which can lead to innovative solutions and better teamwork.
In politics, mindfulness supports leaders in making decisions based on compassion and long-term vision rather than immediate reactions or political pressures.
Shame, vulnerability, courage, empathy
Applying Brené Brown's research tools, such as vulnerability, courage, and empathy, can foster deeper connections in our relationships by encouraging authenticity and trust.
In personal life, embracing vulnerability allows individuals to let go of perfectionism, reducing the fear of failure and enhancing self-compassion.
In relationships, practicing empathy promotes understanding and healing, reducing conflicts and building stronger emotional bonds.
In the workplace, cultivating a culture of trust and openness leads to increased collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, creating a more inclusive and resilient environment.
Ultimately, these tools empower individuals and teams to be more connected, confident, and compassionate, creating a positive ripple effect in all areas of life.
Kind vs nice
Being kind is about acting with genuine care and concern for others, often motivated by empathy and a desire to make a positive impact.
Kindness is rooted in authenticity, where we show compassion even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
On the other hand, being nice often involves pleasing others or seeking approval, sometimes at the cost of our own needs or integrity.
Niceness can lead to superficial interactions, where we avoid conflict or say what others want to hear, rather than being honest or offering true support.
In essence, being nice might appease others momentarily, but being kind fosters deeper, more meaningful connections that prioritize well-being for all involved.
“Yes-person”
Being a "yes to everything" person often leads to overwhelm, burnout, and a lack of clear personal boundaries, as individuals constantly prioritize others' needs over their own.
This behavior can result in feeling depleted, with a sense of losing one's identity and values in the process.
Learning to say "no" helps protect time, energy, and resources, enabling individuals to focus on what truly aligns with their priorities.
It also fosters healthier relationships, as it sets clear expectations and reduces resentment.
Ultimately, mastering the art of saying "no" leads to greater self-respect, enhanced well-being, and a more balanced life.
People pleasing
People-pleasing can lead to neglecting one's own needs, desires, and well-being in favor of seeking approval and avoiding conflict.
It often creates an internal struggle between trying to make others happy while feeling drained, resentful, or disconnected from one’s authentic self.
Over time, people-pleasing can hinder personal growth and lead to feelings of inadequacy, as individuals may feel they are not truly valued for who they are.
Breaking free from people-pleasing allows for more genuine connections, self-respect, and the freedom to express one's true needs.
It empowers individuals to set healthier boundaries, fostering deeper relationships and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Don’t know what I want
Not having clear preferences can lead to confusion, indecision, and a sense of being disconnected from one's true desires.
People may struggle with boundaries and end up pleasing others, which can cause resentment and burnout.
Without preferences, individuals might feel aimless or overwhelmed, making it difficult to make intentional choices.
Learning about one's preferences helps cultivate self-awareness, allowing people to make choices aligned with their values and needs.
It fosters confidence, improves relationships, and promotes a sense of fulfillment by creating a clearer path toward personal goals and authentic living.
Boundaries
Lack of boundaries can lead to feelings of overwhelm, burnout, and resentment, as individuals may constantly prioritize others' needs over their own.
Without clear limits, people may feel taken for granted, struggle with self-respect, and experience difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships.
Setting boundaries helps create a sense of control, empowering individuals to safeguard their time, energy, and emotional well-being.
It also fosters self-respect, improves communication, and ensures that personal needs are met without guilt.
Ultimately, learning to set boundaries allows for healthier relationships, better decision-making, and a more balanced life.
Dance Therapy
Dance therapy offers numerous benefits when applied in various settings, such as companies, families, relationships, and politics.
In a corporate environment, it promotes emotional regulation, reduces stress, and enhances team dynamics by fostering nonverbal communication and empathy.
Within families, it can strengthen bonds, encourage understanding, and provide an outlet for expressing emotions, which improves overall harmony.
In relationships, dance therapy helps individuals connect on a deeper level, improving communication, trust, and conflict resolution.
When applied in politics, it encourages cooperation, facilitates dialogue, and supports creative problem-solving by bringing individuals together in a more holistic, embodied way, enhancing collective decision-making.
TRE & Osho’s dynamic Meditations
Learning TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) and Osho Dynamic Meditations can bring profound benefits across various domains of life.
For private individuals, these practices help release stored tension, reduce stress, and enhance emotional resilience.
In companies and organizations, they foster better communication, collaboration, and productivity by supporting individuals in managing stress and increasing presence.
Families and relationships benefit by cultivating deeper emotional awareness and empathy, fostering healthier, more authentic connections.
In politics, these practices can encourage mindful decision-making, reduce reactive behavior, and promote collective well-being, creating a more conscious and compassionate approach to leadership.
Listening to the body
The body signals sickness through physical symptoms like fatigue, fever, pain, or discomfort, which often serve as early warnings that something is wrong.
Boundaries can be communicated through tension, discomfort, or resistance, as the body reacts to situations where personal space or limits are being infringed upon.
Needs and desires manifest through signals such as hunger, thirst, or a longing for connection, prompting individuals to seek fulfillment.
Preferences and likes are reflected in physical cues like smiling, leaning in, or relaxation, while dislikes may trigger body responses such as tension, frowning, or withdrawing.
Overall, the body continuously sends messages through sensations, emotions, and reactions, helping us navigate our inner and outer worlds.
Drawing Therapy
Drawing therapy offers a creative way for individuals, companies, families, and even political entities to express complex emotions, reduce stress, and enhance communication.
It allows private individuals to gain insight into their inner worlds, fostering self-awareness and emotional healing.
In a corporate environment, it can improve team dynamics, problem-solving, and leadership by offering an alternative way to express ideas and resolve conflicts.
For families and relationships, drawing therapy strengthens bonds, deepens empathy, and encourages open dialogue about sensitive issues.
In politics, it could facilitate understanding between opposing sides, promoting empathy and innovative solutions by visualizing complex concepts in a way that transcends traditional language barriers.
Getting to and dealing with the root cause of stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, loneliness, low energy, addiction, ADHD, C-PTSD…
According to Gabor Maté, the root cause of mental illness lies in early childhood experiences, particularly the impact of trauma, stress, and unmet emotional needs.
He emphasizes that these early experiences can disrupt a child's sense of safety, connection, and self-worth, leading to internalized stress and emotional dysregulation.
Maté suggests that this trauma, often unrecognized or suppressed, manifests in adulthood as mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, C-PTSD and addiction.
He highlights the role of the mind-body connection, where unresolved emotional pain can manifest physically.
Ultimately, he argues that healing involves reconnecting with one's true self and addressing the root causes of trauma rather than merely treating symptoms.
Intuitive decision making
Intuitive decision-making taps into our subconscious knowledge, offering a deeper understanding beyond logic and analysis.
By listening to our body's subtle signals—such as tension, ease, or gut reactions—we can align with our true desires and values, bypassing fear-based or conditioned responses.
Our body often provides clear feedback, guiding us toward choices that resonate with our authentic self and purpose.
When we learn to trust these signals, we cultivate a sense of flow and ease, making decisions that feel effortless and true to our path.
This process invites a deeper connection to intuition, fostering clarity, alignment, and a more fulfilling journey.
Root cause analysis
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a problem-solving technique used to identify the underlying causes of an issue, rather than merely addressing its symptoms.
By digging deeper into the problem, RCA helps reveal the true origin of a challenge, allowing for more sustainable solutions.
Fixing only the visible issues may lead to recurring problems or temporary relief, while addressing the root cause eliminates the need for constant fixes.
This approach leads to better resource allocation and efficiency, as efforts are focused on preventing the issue from reoccurring. Ultimately, RCA promotes long-term improvement, greater system stability, and increased overall effectiveness.
Root cause analysis is crucial in mental and physical health because it helps identify underlying factors contributing to issues, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions.
In relationships, it uncovers the core dynamics that influence behaviors and communication patterns, fostering deeper understanding and resolution of recurring conflicts.
Within corporations, root cause analysis aids in identifying inefficiencies, communication breakdowns, or systemic issues that hinder productivity and employee satisfaction.
By addressing the root cause, rather than just symptoms, it leads to more sustainable solutions and long-term improvements.
Overall, root cause analysis promotes healing, growth, and optimization across all areas by addressing the foundational issues that drive behaviors, outcomes, and challenges.
Holistic Health
Holistic health emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that mental, physical, and emotional well-being are deeply intertwined.
Addressing each aspect fosters a balanced and resilient individual, improving overall health and preventing burnout or emotional exhaustion.
In relationships, holistic health supports deeper connections and communication by encouraging self-awareness, empathy, and mutual understanding.
For corporations, fostering holistic health in employees can enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration, while reducing stress and improving workplace morale.
By nurturing the whole person, holistic health creates more harmonious and thriving individuals and communities, both personally and professionally.
Feelings
Not knowing our own feelings can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and unhealthy relationships, as we may struggle to express ourselves or understand others' emotions.
This lack of emotional awareness can create anxiety, stress, and difficulty making decisions, as we might act on autopilot rather than from a place of clarity.
According to Brene Brown, recognizing and embracing our emotions helps build courage, authenticity, and connection, allowing us to navigate vulnerability with more resilience.
Understanding our feelings also fosters empathy and helps us establish healthier boundaries, leading to more fulfilling personal and professional relationships.
Researchers like Brown emphasize that emotional awareness is essential for wholehearted living, as it allows us to respond to life with intention rather than react out of fear or discomfort.
Values
Not knowing our own values can lead to confusion, poor decision-making, and a lack of direction in life, as we may follow external pressures rather than authentic desires.
Without clarity about what truly matters, we might end up feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or constantly dissatisfied.
According to Brené Brown, understanding our values helps us set boundaries, make choices that align with our authentic selves, and build resilience in the face of challenges.
Learning about our values allows us to live more purposefully, fostering a sense of belonging and integrity.
When we act in alignment with our values, we experience deeper fulfillment and strengthen our ability to navigate life’s uncertainties.
Sensations
Not knowing our own sensations can lead to a disconnection from our bodies, making it difficult to recognize when we are stressed, anxious, or in need of rest.
This disconnect can result in poor decision-making, burnout, or emotional overwhelm because we don't know how to listen to or interpret our body's signals.
When we learn about our senses, we gain the ability to better understand and manage our emotional and physical states, leading to more grounded and confident decisions.
Cultivating awareness of our sensations can enhance our relationships by allowing us to express ourselves more authentically and be present with others.
Ultimately, tuning into our senses fosters greater self-awareness, resilience, and a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.
The gutfeeling
The gut feeling, or intuition, is an innate sense or inner knowing that guides us in decision-making and understanding situations without relying on conscious reasoning.
It’s often experienced as a physical sensation, such as a feeling in the stomach, that signals alignment or misalignment with our truth.
To tap into the gut feeling, practice quieting the mind, tuning into your body, and paying attention to how different choices or experiences resonate with you on an emotional level.
It serves as a compass, helping to navigate life by trusting your instincts and inner wisdom.
By regularly tuning into this internal guidance, you can better understand your desires, values, and boundaries.