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When The Chase Ends
Life beyond the chase Most of us spend a good part of our lives in motion. We chase careers, recognition, relationships, milestones. We chase happiness itself, believing that once we finally “arrive,” we’ll feel complete. The chase becomes such a rhythm that we rarely stop to ask why we’re running and then suddenly the desire to chase ends. The discomfort of the breaking rhythm Then one day, the promotions no longer bring joy, applause no longer feels validating. Even relationships built along the way seem to demand more than you give back. You don’t feel angry — you feel nothing. And that “nothing” can be harder to face than failure.…
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Beyond the Deck: Don’t just Train- Transform
How to Make Training Stick: Building Blocks to an Effective Facilitation Every company invests in training hoping it leads to lasting behavior change, stronger performance, and better business outcomes. But not all training sticks — and not all facilitation creates real impact. Over the years, I’ve seen one clear pattern: it’s not about how impressive the slides are. It’s about how deeply the training connects to the people in the room. Here are a few foundational elements I believe make training truly stick: 1. Context Is Everything Of course, models, tools, and techniques matter — but the most impactful learning happens when the facilitator truly understands the business beyond surface-level…
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How I learned to move on and focus on what matters
As 2025 begins, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to approach this year. What theme should define my days? What intentions should I set? I didn’t have the answers—until recently. Unexpectedly, clarity came during a workshop at work. Who would’ve thought a simple team session could lead to such a profound realization? A team effectiveness workshop introduced me to the concept of a “secure base”—a foundation of trust and support that allows us to face fears, embrace vulnerability, and make meaningful changes. As we worked through the exercises, I found myself reflecting on some personal truths that I hadn’t confronted before. Have you ever clung to something so tightly…
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“Starting Over”- How embracing diversity and change shaped my career path
One of my favorite topics in HR is DEI, and my passion for it doesn’t come from formal study, but from lived experience. DEI- A shift in perspective Moving to a new country and starting over is never easy, especially when it means stepping away from your career. I made the conscious decision to follow my husband to the Netherlands back in 2010, prioritizing my family over professional growth. At times, it was tough and isolating, but today, as a proud mom of two boys (17 and 19), I realize I gained far more than I ever lost. The bond I share with my boys and the respect we have…
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What does one need, to be successful, at the core of human centricity?
In an exclusive interview with Tulip Talks, Paola Bottaro, People Director, Top Employers Institute (TEI) shares how she is redefining human-centricity at TEI. In the post-COVID corporate landscape, the buzz around human-centricity reverberates across boardrooms, each company crafting its narrative. Yet, the pressing question persists—Is this a genuine commitment or merely a response to peer pressure? Seeking clarity, I turned to Paola Bottaro, TEI’s People Director, to understand their strategy. Top Employers Institute certifies companies globally for their people practices and their own practices aren’t just benchmarks; they’re a blueprint for excellence. Human-centricity, as she unfolds, has earned not just attention but genuine respect within organizations. However, implementing a human-centric…
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Diversity and Inclusion(D&I)- Is it a sham or for real?
In recent years, the focus has largely moved to conversations around Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). Initially, it seemed like a sham to grab low-hanging fruit, so companies could fulfill their compliance targets. However, it was a sheer perception that fizzled away, when I started working for Top Employers Institute (TEI). It was interesting to learn that there are companies like TEI who “walk the talk”. I was quite impressed when the HR Director told me how much they value diversity in their workplace. I was guided to embrace diversity in its real sense, at an enterprise level and not just superficially. We looked at diversity, not only from a gender…
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In conversation with Jane Stephenson- Coach, Counsellor
Happiness, success, and satisfaction come to those who understand the meaning of it and have the capability to chase it. This is what I learned in an interview with Jane Stephenson. As she went into flashback sharing her expat story, she opened gates to her past starting from 1987. Jane came to the Netherlands with a job as a finance professional and no social contacts. There was also no internet or mobile phone facility in place. This made things extremely isolating for her. Her apartment did not have a telephone so she had to use the payphone on the corner of the street. As she reflected on the olden times, she…
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COVID cannot dampen our spirits- “Tulip Talks” celebrating Kings Day with The Mayor of Amstelveen Tjapko Poppens, his wife Evelien and Amstelveen Oranje
It was April 30th, 2011 when my family and I first experienced the charm of the Queens day in the Netherlands. The Netherlands was embraced in the orange color in all its possibilities. All these years I have been on the receiving end, enjoying events hosted across the Netherlands for this special. Today for the first time I dared to go on the other side. There started another venture for me to know what goes on behind the scenes. The non-profit organization Amstelveen Oranje based out of Amstelveen, has been organizing events every year. It’s been decorating the city, setting up flea markets and hosting the Mayor. They further go…