Sandie McCulloch

What if we could bring the 'energy' of a camp fire setting, right into your team meetings & board rooms? What possiblities would emerge? This was a conversation Floris Dekker and I were having yesterday after we returned from our latest session(s) at Gathering Natuurlijk. At our 'gatherings,' in nature we facilitate that people (leaders & teams) really meet / really connect with each other.... isn't this the basis for any 'meeting or gathering'? However, our experience in business / organizational meetings is that we sit at long tables (often behind laptops) facing across at each other, in boardrooms there is often a hierarchical seating position.... in both spaces, we often dive in and create 'performance' energy.... the agendas are full, the speed is exhausting, the talk is power based advocating and the listening at best superficial..... we get to the end of the meeting wondering what was agreed and feeling happy to leave, before heading off to the next 'meeting'. Around the camp fire, sat in a circle, in dialogue, we also sometimes create 'performance' energy,,,, to make decisions either individually or collectively where different voices and perspectives have been heard and then the decision made with commitment. And we also create space for : 'Vision' energy,,, so that we can look forward, into the future to dream together. 'Wisdom' energy,,, so that we can reflect about what we have learnt from the past, and reflect what is emerging as we talk and think together during the dialogue. 'Citizen' energy,,, so that we can take time for all voices to talk and as the voices (people) talk they can actively think and create new ideas together. Don't we also need these energies in our business / organizational context... surely we must create some space for Vision, Wisdom and Citizen as well as Performance energy. Imagine what possibilities can emerge if we bring these different energies into our team meetings and board rooms? Imagine the possiblities that will emerge? NOTE 1: If you'd like to know more about Dialogue and camp fire conversations, Floris Dekker and I would love to discuss with you about this. NOTE 2: The 'energies' we refer to above are from a Leading Energies model developed by the Academy of Professional Dialogue. #campfire #nature #teams #leaders #meetings #boardroom #dialogue #energy

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Last November I was invited by Funeraire Academie to give a presentation on funeral practices in England. The talk was part of a symposium to celebrate their 10th anniversary. It was a great day at Museum Tot Zover, facilitated by Martin J.M. Hoondert with contributions from Marc Jacobs, Monique Maurik, Paul Post, Laura Cramwinckel, Brenda Mathijssen. This is me in action, captured by Hein Athmer -fotograaf van Mensen- My talk was followed by an engaging conversation with the audience about similarities and differences between Dutch and English funeral practices. Here are a few: - In both countries, there’s a development towards personalisation and approaching funerals as celebrations of a life. - In England, a funeral director typically does not conduct the ceremony. This is done by a religious officiant, a celebrant or by the family/a friend. In the Netherlands it’s not unusual for a funeral director to speak at the ceremony. - In the Netherlands, a funeral has to take place after 36 hours and within six working days after someone’s death. In England, there is no such law. Cremations or burials can happen weeks or even (in unusual circumstances) months after a death. I’m not aware of a law in the UK about a minimum time between death and funeral. - In England, ashes are usually ready to collect after one or two working days (occasionally even on the same day). In the Netherlands, a crematorium has to keep the ashes for 30 days before relatives can collect them. - In both countries, there’s a growing interest in environmental funeral options and new developments such as resomation and human composting. If you’re interested in an impression of the day (and you read Dutch), here’s an article that summarises the key insights of the day and each presentation: https://lnkd.in/e2WuWjZA #Funerals #FuneralCelebrant #Speaker

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Check out this #WorryTree message from Matty!

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The Dutch Youth Care Chain is sick For over 50 years, dehumanizing and traumatizing things have been happening in the youth care chain and with their chain partners. Nobody takes responsibility. The child's interests are absolutely not number 1. Everything revolves around money, a lot of money. Reform agenda and future scenario will not change this with the same administrators, directors, area managers, team leaders, youth protection workers, "care professionals". The administrators, directors, area managers, team leaders and youth protection workers in Youth Protection and National Expertise Team Youth Protection and "care professionals" are a big disgrace. In addition, council members, mayors, aldermen, safety regions, owners of fraudulent care companies and our government. Conflict of interest, intimidation, falsification, framing, victim blaming, gaslighting, false safe home reports and false reports. Empty promises and lies. Thoroughly unscrupulous, dehumanizing, traumatizing, sick "people". The directors, area managers, team leaders, youth protection workers lack listening, making contact, showing empathy. I have spoken to many people recently. Including two extremely empathetic branch managers of the Child Protection Council, what an example you could be for all employees within Youth Care, Youth Protection and LET. What do you all need to act in the interests of the child and to be able/willing to listen to children and parents? Out-of-home placements and supervision orders should be reduced by 90%-95%. Contact with both parents is necessary, provided that there is no child abuse and/or parental alienation. Organizations may approach me to learn from my experiences with Youth Care and Youth Protection. I have many people in my network who can share knowledge about all kinds of topics. However, it starts with self-reflection and a completely different mindset of the youth care chain and all their chain partners.

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🧠 Explore the world of TMS therapy in Amsterdam! We can't wait to get started on the International Clinical TMS Certification Course, where you'll get to understand TMS applications in psychiatry, neurology and rehabilitation. 🌟 Highlights: Live lectures Hands-on training Expert guidance We look forward to seeing you there and advancing your career in brain stimulation therapy with you! #tmscourse #tmstraining #tms #brainstimulation #mentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessionals #psychiatry #neurology #rehabilitation #neuroscience

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Appreciation goes a long way! I have come to realize in our professional lives, it’s so easy to overlook the small gestures that make a big difference. I have always made it a habit to share my appreciation with others, who I have worked with and for! What I do know is that one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal is appreciation. It really is not that difficult to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the efforts of our people around you and it creates a ripple effect. It boosts morale, fosters a positive work environment, and strengthens team bonds. A simple “thank you” or a note of recognition can transform someone’s day and inspire them to continue doing what they do! I’ve seen firsthand how appreciation can turn around a challenging project, motivate a team to go the extra mile, and build a culture of mutual respect and support. It’s not just about acknowledging the big wins, but also the everyday contributions that keep the wheels turning and I certainly appreciate the thanks from Jelle Houben and his appreciation for the time that we have spent brainstorming and looking at how he can continue to grow the company Binqy Let’s make it a habit to appreciate those around us. Whether it’s a colleague, a mentor, or a team member or even a friend, your words of gratitude can have a lasting impact. After all, a little appreciation goes a long way

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Reflecting on My Last Few Days at Catawiki: This week, I had the privilege of being part of something truly special at Catawiki. We hosted the graduation of the Catawiki Advanced Management Programme, where 24 talented managers gathered in Amsterdam for an inspiring day of learning, connection, and reflection. The day started with a fun and meaningful Breakfast Bingo, allowing everyone to bond on a deeper level. As we moved through the program, each participant shared their personal leadership journey—a powerful reminder of the resilience it takes to grow as a leader. The theme of resilience through change resonated deeply with the group, especially as our leadership team—Ravi V. Frederik De Beer, and Iolanda M.—shared their own stories of growth and overcoming challenges. We were then fortunate to hear from our guest speaker, @Marit Bouwmeester, Gold Medal Olympian, who delivered an inspiring keynote. Marit’s story of hard work, determination, and making tough decisions was a masterclass in cultivating a winning mindset. She spoke with humility and authenticity, offering valuable insights into navigating challenges with a growth mindset. We all walked away feeling energized and inspired. As I reflect on my time at Catawiki, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive impact on how the organization develops its leaders. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of resilience, growth, and continuous learning in leadership. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Catawiki next year. Thank you to everyone at Catawiki for the trust and collaboration. I am truly inspired and excited for what lies ahead. For those looking to accelerate their leadership potential, I am always open to coaching and management development opportunities. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to build resilient, high-performing teams. #Leadership #Coaching #ManagementDevelopment #GrowthMindset #Resilience #Catawiki #LeadershipDevelopment

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"Child Welfare in Crisis: When Power and Incompetence Harm Children" The Dutch child welfare system faces serious issues that undermine the well-being of children and families. A significant portion of professionals in the sector are young and relatively inexperienced, with an average age between 25 and 35 years. Furthermore, approximately 90% of the workforce is female. Concerns have been raised that some of these young professionals carry unresolved childhood traumas into their work, leading to projection onto the parents and children they are supposed to support. This can result in bias and inappropriate interventions, such as unjustly limiting parent-child contact. A striking example is the statement of a 24-year-old child protection worker from Jeugdbescherming Overijssel: "I’m going to destroy you, little man. You’ll never see your children again." Such behaviors point to a culture of coercion and abuse of power within child welfare services, where professionals believe they can solve problems by exerting pressure on children and parents. In reality, this often causes greater harm, leading to further trauma for those involved. It is critical that responsible organizations take these signals seriously and take decisive action. There is an urgent need for better screening and training of child welfare professionals, with a focus on recognizing and addressing their own traumas to prevent these from influencing their professional conduct. Additionally, mechanisms must be established to address and prevent abuse of power and incompetence within the sector. Only by acknowledging and addressing these issues can the child welfare system fulfill its mission: providing safe and effective support to children and families in need.

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Great news for Utrecht Life Sciences research! NWO (Dutch Research Council) has awarded €37.5 million to the DRIVE-RM consortium, led by Marianne Verhaar, to work on regenerative medicine using smart materials. The SUMMIT grant recognizes world-class collaborations,  further strengthening these partnerships. 🙌 Regenerative medicine involves repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs by leveraging the body's own healing processes. DRIVE-RM  focuses on material-driven regeneration, using intelligent, lifelike, or even living materials that can prompt the human body to generate new tissue. This approach could radically change the treatment of chronic diseases such as kidney failure, heart failure, and worn joints in the future. 🗣"It is wonderful for Utrecht Life Science research to receive this recognition and funding,” says Jos Malda, leader of the Utrecht University team. “We have an exquisite ecosystem in Utrecht. In this program, we combine the knowledge and expertise of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Utrecht University), Faculty of Science (Utrecht University), Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht and the Hubrecht Institute, Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research. The DRIVE-RM collaboration also includes Eindhoven University of Technology and Maastricht University. It is a fantastic springboard for new discoveries.” mariannatriantafillou Roos Masereeuw Riccardo Levato Lukas Kapitein Tina Vermonden ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNstyT_g

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Great perspective on food systems.

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Some words (and images) to describe ‘Gathering Natuurlijk‘: ''A retreat in nature for Leaders & Teams who are open to reconnecting with themselves and learning with others.'' What words emerge for you when you look at our images..? If you'd like to see more images, check the link in the comments :-)) #nature #leadership #teams #connect #learn

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Today is Diversity Day and we celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Of course, ManpowerGroup Nederland is on board. Because ManpowerGroup is for everyone. All of You.    This morning we started the day with an inspiring online session. With Ruben Treurniet from Civinc an interactive chat tool, colleagues could anonymously talk to colleagues who have a completely different opinion. The insights and ideas that emerge from this strengthen our conviction that our organization becomes stronger if we listen carefully to all perspectives.     Diversity, Equity,Inclusion, and Belonging is something we all share. Together, we are building a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. Not just today, but all year round.    #DiversityDay2024 #DEIB #ManpowerGroup #AllOfYou #DiversityandInclusion 

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Valuable advice for medtech innovators

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Inzicht in transformatie

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