When Leaders Lead With Openness, Talents Finds Room To Rise
The past month I had the privilege of spending a week on Curaçao with Ondernemersreizen. I delivered a keynote on leadership and execution, but the real value came from being fully part of the program.
A week centred around people, execution, strategy and the cultural contrast between the Netherlands and Curaçao. Today I want to talk about behaviour. Because behaviour shapes everything that happens in a training, a team or any leadership programme.
No pretence, just curiosity
What made this week special was the mix of people. Entrepreneurs from startups, family businesses, corporates and scale-ups. From both the Netherlands and Curaçao. A blend of cultures and generations, seasoned business leaders and founders who are still writing their first chapters. Yet everyone stepped in at the same level.
No ego. No showing off. No hierarchy. Just humility, honesty and openness about challenges.
That attitude set something important in motion: genuine curiosity about each other. It created the space not only to work on the business, but to look more sharply at our own behaviour. Because behaviour is strategy. It decides whether a plan lifts off or stays stuck on paper.
Authenticity over status
I’ve never cared much about status. After everything I’ve been able to experience — and everything still ahead — I believe more than ever that leadership is about authenticity. The ability to see everyone as equal. To recognise potential, regardless of title, background or experience. And to strengthen yourself a little every day, no matter how far your career has evolved.
Every entrepreneur carries a story. Sometimes it starts with a dream. Sometimes you step into the family business unexpectedly. Sometimes a chance appears at precisely the right moment. Or an idea arrives that you just know will work. Behind every company lie choices, moments, doubts and courage — far more than the outside world ever sees.
Vulnerability creates space
During my keynote I used the line: “Not because vulnerability is soft, but because it creates room.”
Room to learn, to make mistakes, to look honestly at what can be improved.
And that is exactly what I saw throughout the week. People who achieved great things but didn’t feel the need to make them bigger. Coaches who didn’t keep their distance but joined in — showing what real connection looks like. Entrepreneurs who allowed themselves to be moved and, because of that openness, sharpened their view on their choices, their business and their own role.
You could feel how kindness in the relationship strengthens the substance. It makes discussions cleaner, decisions better and teams more resilient.
The weeks that stay with you
Sometimes a week stays with you. Not because of the programme alone, but because of what happens when equality and authenticity come together. That’s where growth begins — in the company and in yourself. And there is definitely more to come on this.
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