Dear Erik,

I have a different opinion when it comes to talent and women. To start with women, I certainly don’t believe that women in Western countries are born with a disadvantage. Society and culture can impose restrictions, but by no means do women need to conform to them. Here in the West, that’s an individual choice. What does exist is a massive disparity between the number of female managers in the Netherlands, especially when compared to Eastern European countries. In the Czech Republic, the ratio of male and female managers is equal (50-50). In the Netherlands, the ratio is skewed: 20% female managers against 80% male managers. The Dutch are lagging behind considerably compared to Eastern Europe. (more…)

Gerard

What you’re saying is that hard work is the basis for change and achieving results and success. I watched a documentary about Joan Rivers last night, an American comedian who recently passed away. She was 75 at the time of the movie, but she was still working admirably hard. Whenever her schedule was empty, she’d phone her manager to ask for sunglasses to protect her against the blinding white empty pages. After watching the empty pages for a while, she wrote a play in which she starred as the main character. Just to create some work for herself at an advanced age. And last week I watched a documentary about Bob Marley, who I must admit I previously believed only slept around and smoked pot. But the truth is that he only slept a few hours a night and went over and over his songs again and again to perfect them while his band members were content after the very first revision. Just an example of two people at the top of their profession, two people willing to go the extra mile. (more…)

Dear Erik,

I cannot stop thinking about your comments about those fast-growing companies. I believe that all these men (did you notice the complete absence of women?) have one thing in common: they are all entrepreneurial leaders. There is no-one who makes these companies excel as an ’employee’. Sure, there might be very capable employees who contribute to that amazing growth, but there is no manager underpinning it. (more…)

Hi Gerard,

Can you email me the research you mentioned on the effects of bonuses? I’m very curious. Early this year, a consultant told me the same thing, i.e. that people mainly seek recognition, would rather work in a company with vision and that team spirit is more important than bonuses, i.e. exactly what you wrote to me. I must say I do wonder whether people are truly honest with the researcher, it is of course very vulgar to say that you only work for money. The example comes to mind of a footballer playing for a top club in the Netherlands leaving for a mediocre foreign club, saying he is interested in playing in a different league. Everyone knows that the level of competition there is low that the coach is fired every six months and you only go there for the money. (more…)

Dear Erik

That would be nice. You set up an open organization with clear goals and known to everyone and hopefully within a few years we will have a market capitalization of more than one billion! I’ll get started right away and let you know in two years. (more…)

Dear Gerard,

Obviously I have also given colleagues another chance at times. Partly because of the same reasons as you, that the person in question was either sympathetic, or prepared to work hard and had an open attitude. It is a matter of finding work that will fit well with the person in question. In football if you’re a good defender, I won’t suggest you play as a forward. It is the same at a company – if someone is in the wrong position you look for something more suited to their skills. (more…)