The mental models and leadership approaches that served us well for decades increasingly show their limits. Economic growth no longer serves as the sole compass for success, and the familiar ways we work strain under the weight of rapid technological, social, and environmental shifts.

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s tempting to look for big strategies or bold visions to lead the way. But real, profound change usually starts with something simpler—and more human: trust.

Lately, I’ve reflected on the crossroads where digital transformation meets sustainability and what this means for us as leaders in mid-sized European service providers. It feels like we’re standing at a pivotal moment that calls for more than incremental change or efficiency gains.

Being meaningful as a professional service provider is not accidental. It results from conscious design, implementation of simple guiding principles, and a well-defined positioning and purpose

A few years ago, one of my clients was challenged to deliver more value than just the annual premium adjustment and adequate claims handling. The challenge was not without consequences.

The impact of technological and social developments on professional service providers is undeniable. The question is how to respond to these developments and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Many complex issues surround us in today's fast-paced and intricate world. These significant challenges shape the economic, political, and social landscapes. Professionals in the service industry are keenly aware of aspirations that individuals and businesses hold for a brighter future.

It is vital to remain meaningful for your customers in a world driven by efficiency, standardization, and digitization. How to stay relevant to your customers? Here are four tips to help you. 

The number of households with financial problems increases, while the Dutch government expects more financial self-sufficiency from citizens and businesses. The financial service industry can support consumers and businesses in preparing for economic adversity.

Recently I saw the program “Steenrijk Straatarm” (Filthy Rich Penniless). This episode was about a "penniless" mum with 4 kids. They have to get by on a few tens every week. How did this come about?

The future of professional services is meaningful, human-centered, and digital. However, there is a difference between the value customers experience and what service providers claim to deliver. In this article, we open the discussion to two fundamental questions. First, we ask why service providers are still struggling to serve their customers meaningful. Second, we elaborate on the resulting change leadership challenge.