Jan van der Spoel
“We say what we think and do what we feel. When that’s out of balance, trust is gone.”
Jan van der Spoel is a “problem solver,” author and “designer of trust. He talks about the importance of trust in creating a better world.
He is not a scientist, neuropsychologist or change manager. And yet these disciplines are strongly intertwined with everything he does and talks about. Jan is a ‘problem solver’ with rose-colored glasses of a designer because he always sees possibilities, even if you have to shape them yourself.
And design is in his blood. He has worked as art director, creative director and marketing & communications manager at various creative companies and for clients such as Philips, KNVB, Unilever and Nutricia.
In 2011 Jan attended a seminar by Robert Cialdini, who caused quite a few ripples with his theories on neuromarketing; his 7 influencing techniques. Jan’s enthusiasm about this led him to watch a video by Simon Sinek and it gave him “a lightning moment,” as he describes, caused in particular by one statement by Sinek.
“The part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making has no capacity for language.
His fascination with human behavior was fueled and eventually inspired him to establish the consulting and training firm ‘Persona Academy’ – based on a self-developed model. He was triggered again by a sentence spoken by his speech coach.
“I was preparing a speech and he said, ‘we say what we think and do what we feel.’ The further the two are apart, the less confidence there is.’ That word ‘confidence’ triggered something in me, I had to explore that further.”
So that’s what Jan did. Around that time, Corona broke out. It turned out to be a prime time for him to delve further into the concept of “trust. This resulted in developing a new model ‘360º trust’ as well as writing the book with the same name. He also founded ‘Grip on Trust’, an expertise center for human behavior, where he helps leaders and managers to shape their leadership on the basis of trust. In addition, he is a blogger for The Entrepreneur.
As a speaker, he wants to reach more people with the message that trust is like a lubricant in an organization; there is less resistance, people feel better, and it leads to better results.
Jan van der Spoel is a “problem solver,” author and “designer of trust. He talks about the importance of trust in creating a better world. He is not a scientist, neuropsychologist or change manager. And yet these disciplines are strongly intertwined with everything he does and talks about. Jan is a ‘problem solver’ with rose-colored glasses of a designer because he always sees possibilities, even if View more…
"Trust is the lubricant between people and organizations; it creates a good work culture and leads to better results."
"When we come to understand that trust is at the core of any relationship, we can create a more pleasant world together."
Gross National Trust
We say what we think and do what we feel. Yes, emotions often takes precedence over reason. And if we don’t trust someone, we feel it in our gut, it’s an emotion, a sensation. And whether trust is justified or unjustified, it can lead to significant disruptions in working relationships, culture and to failure of the project.
How can you improve trust in your organization? Jan questioned that too. At the same time, he thought this question was as foolproof as the concept itself.
For example, “Surveys are often conducted, asking about the trust of customers or employees. But to measure it and improve it, you first have to know what you mean by trust.”
As a designer, he approached this problem like a puzzle; how do you make the individual pieces fit together? What elements are needed for trust? The result of this research shows up in the “360º Trust Compass,” which addresses such focal points as character, consistency and psychological safety. In it, he describes six principles, with underlying aspects.
“In this way you make trust very insightful, and you know which concrete points you still need to work on,” he says.
This way of mapping trust can be done at the individual level, at the team or organizational level and even at the government level. In fact, Jan advocates a new way of providing insight into how well a country is doing: Gross National Trust.
“We now use the Gross Domestic Product to measure how well a country is doing. That’s an economic, and rather one-sided, approach, whereas trust is a much more encompassing concept. Lack of trust encourages polarization and exploitation…. Time for a new indicator AND system!”
Book Jan as a speaker?
Create a lasting impact on all attendees together with Jan van der Spoel. Get in touch to book him as a speaker, receive his availability and a tailor-made proposal.
1. Energetic
Jan is an enthusiastic and energetic presence on stage. His enthusiasm, positivity and belief in the message keeps the audience ‘on the ball’.
2. Interactive
No boring power points or other trappings. Armed with a marker, flipchart and stories, he manages to captivate and engage the audience from beginning to end.
3. Inspiring
‘The Simon Sinek of The Netherlands,’ one of his clients once called him. He knows how to transfer his passion for human behavior to his audience in an inspiring way.
4. Practice
Jan shows how you can get started today by designing and working on trust. This is what he does with his background in design, using visual examples and show show it could be otherwise.
5. Feminine Leadership
In the male-dominated business world, it is refreshing to see a male speaker champion feminine leadership.
1. Energetic
Jan is an enthusiastic and energetic presence on stage. His enthusiasm, positivity and belief in the message keeps the audience ‘on the ball’.
2. Interactive
No boring power points or other trappings. Armed with a marker, flipchart and stories, he manages to captivate and engage the audience from beginning to end.
3. Inspiring
‘The Simon Sinek of The Netherlands,’ one of his clients once called him. He knows how to transfer his passion for human behavior to his audience in an inspiring way.
4. Practice
Jan shows how you can get started today by designing and working on trust. This is what he does with his background in design, using visual examples and show show it could be otherwise.
5. Feminine Leadership
In the male-dominated business world, it is refreshing to see a male speaker champion feminine leadership.
Four questions for:
Jan van der Spoel
For Good: what does that mean to you?
“I am convinced, like Rutger Bregman, that people are fundamentally nice, it’s just that we don’t always know how to treat each other. All that starts with trust. I believe that if we start recognizing that trust is at the core of every relationship, in big and small ways, personal or business, that we can really create a more pleasant world.”
Walk the Talk: what is your added value?
“I give people insights and tools. And you know, they are often open doors. Everyone thinks that the individual conditions for trust are very logical. They are the norms and values that we have usually been taught from childhood. And yet, the conglomeration of all these individual elements, as the basis for trust, makes pennies suddenly drop. You see at a glance why you react in a certain way, or why someone else reacts to you. An eye-opener for many people.”
Do you have a source of inspiration yourself?
“Simon Sinek of course, Rutger Bregman, Amy Edmonson (expert on psychological safety) and Erin Meyer – the latter is an expert on behavior in different cultures. Her “culture map” is very interesting.
But you also find inspiration closer to home, right?
“Certainly, my mother. In the 1980s it was not common for women to work, let alone have careers. My mother went to law school when she was 40. She later earned a doctorate on the subject of motherhood and labor. She co-authored legislation that required employers to provide a lactation room for female employees. And advocated the job application law that gives women the right to lie if their employer asks them about a possible pregnancy.
Even though the situation in the workplace has improved for women since the 1980s, there is still a lot of inequality. Women still often adapt to standards and systems devised by men. And when men are promoted, their potential is considered while women must have already proven themselves. At the same time, feminine values are seen – very unfairly – as ‘soft’ in men. There is still a world to be won here, so I pay attention to that too: in my work, my book and in my lectures.
For Good: what does that mean to you?
“I am convinced, like Rutger Bregman, that people are fundamentally nice, it’s just that we don’t always know how to treat each other. All that starts with trust. I believe that if we start recognizing that trust is at the core of every relationship, in big and small ways, personal or business, that we can really create a more pleasant world.”
Walk the Talk: what is your added value?
“I give people insights and tools. And you know, they are often open doors. Everyone thinks that the individual conditions for trust are very logical. They are the norms and values that we have usually been taught from childhood. And yet, the conglomeration of all these individual elements, as the basis for trust, makes pennies suddenly drop. You see at a glance why you react in a certain way, or why someone else reacts to you. An eye-opener for many people.”
Do you have a source of inspiration yourself?
“Simon Sinek of course, Rutger Bregman, Amy Edmonson (expert on psychological safety) and Erin Meyer – the latter is an expert on behavior in different cultures. Her “culture map” is very interesting.
But you also find inspiration closer to home, right?
“Certainly, my mother. In the 1980s it was not common for women to work, let alone have careers. My mother went to law school when she was 40. She later earned a doctorate on the subject of motherhood and labor. She co-authored legislation that required employers to provide a lactation room for female employees. And advocated the job application law that gives women the right to lie if their employer asks them about a possible pregnancy.
Even though the situation in the workplace has improved for women since the 1980s, there is still a lot of inequality. Women still often adapt to standards and systems devised by men. And when men are promoted, their potential is considered while women must have already proven themselves. At the same time, feminine values are seen – very unfairly – as ‘soft’ in men. There is still a world to be won here, so I pay attention to that too: in my work, my book and in my lectures.
What is Jan talking about?
Would you like to book Jan as a (keynote) speaker for a conference, lecture, or event? Below you will find a selection of keynotes. Custom program? Ask for the possibilities.
Grip on trust
Increasing trust in your company without changing people
In this lecture Jan explains the importance of good relationships in organizations. Really good cooperation makes the difference between hassle, rigidity, and resistance on the one hand and success, speed, and job satisfaction on the other. Learn how trust works in organizations, how to assess it, improve it and make it part of your daily work.
Grip on trust: Leadership in a VUCA world
In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, leadership is critical. But how can we successfully navigate the VUCA world full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity? One possible answer lies in cultivating 360º Trust. In this lecture, discover how the principles of trust together can be a moral compass that helps us make better choices. Learn practical strategies and insights you can apply immediately to create a resilient organization.
Why leadership is often ineffective
And how to fix it
In this lecture, Jan sheds light on the poor state most companies are in today: 60% of first-time managers fail within 18 months, 50% of mid-career executives are uninvolved and near burnout, and 2 out of every 3 female managers leave the business world. Why does this happen and how can it be reversed?
Grip on confidence - Feminine leadership
Feminine leadership in a masculine world
As the son of a mother who went to law school later in life and earned a doctorate on the topic: “Motherhood and Labor,” Jan can rightfully call himself a feminist. Male behavior is still the norm in business. Unconscious behavior ensures that women always have a more difficult route to be respected and a successful career. This is not malicious intent, but rather reality. In this lecture, Jan will share his findings on the dilemmas of female leadership, how to break the glass ceiling and stay true to yourself, instructive for women, but important for male leaders.
Trust as the key to job happiness
More fun, trust, and happiness in the workplace
A high level of trust acts as a lubricant in your organization: everything works with less friction, with more ease, better results, and higher satisfaction. This lecture gives the audience a roadmap to more enjoyable collaboration, better results, and greater job satisfaction.
Grip on trust
Increasing trust in your company without changing people
In this lecture Jan explains the importance of good relationships in organizations. Really good cooperation makes the difference between hassle, rigidity, and resistance on the one hand and success, speed, and job satisfaction on the other. Learn how trust works in organizations, how to assess it, improve it and make it part of your daily work.
Grip on trust: Leadership in a VUCA world
In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, leadership is critical. But how can we successfully navigate the VUCA world full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity? One possible answer lies in cultivating 360º Trust. In this lecture, discover how the principles of trust together can be a moral compass that helps us make better choices. Learn practical strategies and insights you can apply immediately to create a resilient organization.
Why leadership is often ineffective
And how to fix it
In this lecture, Jan sheds light on the poor state most companies are in today: 60% of first-time managers fail within 18 months, 50% of mid-career executives are uninvolved and near burnout, and 2 out of every 3 female managers leave the business world. Why does this happen and how can it be reversed?
Grip on confidence - Feminine leadership
Feminine leadership in a masculine world
As the son of a mother who went to law school later in life and earned a doctorate on the topic: “Motherhood and Labor,” Jan can rightfully call himself a feminist. Male behavior is still the norm in business. Unconscious behavior ensures that women always have a more difficult route to be respected and a successful career. This is not malicious intent, but rather reality. In this lecture, Jan will share his findings on the dilemmas of female leadership, how to break the glass ceiling and stay true to yourself, instructive for women, but important for male leaders.
Trust as the key to job happiness
More fun, trust, and happiness in the workplace
A high level of trust acts as a lubricant in your organization: everything works with less friction, with more ease, better results, and higher satisfaction. This lecture gives the audience a roadmap to more enjoyable collaboration, better results, and greater job satisfaction.
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Jelle and Claire | Growthinkers
A selection of companies that Jan van der Spoel already had impactful collaborations with….
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I consider Jan the Simon Sinek of the Netherlands. I had the pleasure of working with Jan on a coaching project and learned some priceless information and processes on how to build trust. Jan is an expert on trust. Not just why it’s important, but how it works and more importantly how to build it!
I also learned that Jan is highly passionate
about human-to-human communication and how words trigger emotions based on memory and past experiences and understand the connect between words and past experiences is key to influencing the behaviour you want to see in people through your communication.It’s fascinating and highly enabling when building a business involving
people. Thank you jan for these priceless insights. – Chris Baldwin, PhD, MBA Solution Sales SpecialistChris Baldwin -
Jan contributed as a speaker at HEINEKEN Nederland Supply’s leadership event. In the form of a short speech, followed by interview questions and Q&A with the audience, the group got a good idea of what is involved when it comes to “trust” at work. – Kimra Morgownik
Heineken -
Jan understands the value that trust brings to any relationship, and he has dedicated himself to understanding what makes and breaks it to help leaders and their organizations grow and protect it.
In the process, he has developed a methodology for managing trust in workplace relationships that is the most comprehensive and the most practical that I have seen. His 360˚ approach covers the full spectrum of behaviors, feelings and perceptions that impact trust. It does so by bringing together the latest insights from management science, behavioral psychology, neuroscience, sociology in a simple, easy-to-understand model. It’s a model and methodology that are easy to employ to get a sense of (a) the level of trust in key workplace relationships, (b) understand specifically what’s driving it and (c) what steps to take to
boost or restore it. The approach is comprehensive, simple, insightful and highly actionable.I strongly recommend Jan as an expert, consultant and trainer and his
method as an impactful way to boost workplace trust. – Thomas McNeilThomas McNeil
