What did you do before you came to WesselinkVanZijst?

I studied economics in Maastricht and later international relations in Princeton. Until 2019, I primarily worked outside the Netherlands: for the European Commission, the United Nations, as the director of an NGO, and as an independent consultant. For the EU, among other things, I was involved in negotiations on trade agreements with third countries.

My first job in diplomacy was in Jamaica, followed by a long period in the Middle East, stationed in Jerusalem. I am one of those many negotiators who have failed to make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That is both educational and a lasting scar. For me, the Middle East is like that little phrase in Hotel California of the Eagles: “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

At that time, there was also healthy frustration that the negotiation level in the public sector needed to be raised. must. Therefore I founded Negotiation & Public Service (NPS), an organization where I trained public sector professionals in negotiation. NPS is now part of WesselinkVanZijst, where I give training sessions weekly.

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

As a consultant, I deal with a wide variety of matters. From spatial planning issues to change management in policy for ministries or other government bodies. Our work is diverse. My very first assignment involved sand extraction in Limburg. But I have also participated in stakeholder engagement for a wind farm, the future of the Rotterdam port area, and improving cooperation between chain partners in the justice and security sector.

I prefer to work where the tension can rise or is already high, for example in the role of moderator, mediator, or process facilitator. But I also enjoy advising from behind the scenes on the right negotiation strategy. In this, the (semi-)public sector is my preference; because its fruits have more societal value.

I am also the head of our SOM Academy and I provide training in SOM and MGA negotiation in the Netherlands and beyond. I also try to contribute to our knowledge agenda, for example by writing the first English-language handbook on Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (SSE). Additionally, I have the privilege of being a columnist on our own podcast., Test on the SOM!

What drives you in your work?

Making conflict constructive motivates me every day. For five years, I worked closely with some of the founders of Harvard Program on Negotiation, such as William Ury and Jim Sebenius. Negotiating according to MGA felt like coming home: as the most beautiful things can arise from conflict. For me, the word ‘conflict’ is not necessarily loaded negatively. We actually need conflict to move forward, and there is a wonderful world of insights on how to collaborate, precisely from conflict. At the same time, so much beauty is lost when we approach conflict carelessly. SOM, as a method, has everything it takes to move parties forward, whether that is in the Netherlands or abroad.

What do you like to do most when you're not at work?

I really enjoy hiking, and when I'm in good shape as a negotiator, my children join me too. In addition, I coach my son's soccer team, I run a lot, and I also volunteer as a community mediator. The latter is quite close to work, but it doesn't feel like it.

I also try to write occasionally. Very rarely, a book comes out of it. The first Walking Palestine (2012 and 2020) was about discovering the West Bank on foot. I am also working on the first English-language book about SOM and a booklet about hiking with children. In fact, work and private life come together completely in that: underwalking, so to speak.