Many of us are active on social media - Facebook, LinkedIn - and many of us undoubtedly have a large number of connections, but I’m sure very few of them actually know one another …
So, I’ve decided to introduce myself, to share with you who I am, what I love, what drives me, and the experiences that have shaped who I am today - in the hope of inspiring you to do the same, to introduce yourselves beyond just a profile title or a business card.
You’re all familiar with that classic exchange at a family gathering, a party or a “walking dinner”, which usually begins with:
- “And what do you do?”
- “I’m atypical.”
Faced with this reply, unable to tick the “I’m interested / I’m not interested” box straight away, the person I’m talking to moves on to someone else, changes tables, and occasionally persists, as if our “job title” defines who we are or our supposed worth:
- “Right, but what exactly do you do?”
- “Do you have more than two minutes?”
- “OK, let’s do it in CV format 😉”
You’re active in the business sector or the voluntary sector, in personal development, IT or (disability) sport;
Are you looking for an atypical talent but can’t seem to find one: someone with very specific knowledge, or capable of acquiring it and adapting, yet who is also a generalist with a broad understanding?
Passionate and driven by people, IT, new technologies, personal and business development, entrepreneurship, the voluntary sector, an amateur sportsman, triathlete and marathon runner, trained in IT, a professional facilitator and coach, and naturally curious, I am constantly on the lookout for new challenges.
With 25 years’ experience as a self-employed partner and IT manager in R&D across various sectors and companies, both in Belgium and abroad;
Having taken a long, hard look at myself, overcome burnout and radically changed my behaviour to regain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, as well as the physical fitness, stamina and waistline of my youth;
Having trained and gained certification in various areas of coaching: individual, corporate, mental, sporting and para-sport;
I am interested in both “freelance” assignments and part-time permanent roles;
Motivated and keen to share my skills, explore solutions, continue learning and get involved, whilst maintaining a work-life balance that has been compromised in the past;
Experienced in human relations, interpersonal and cross-team dynamics, active listening and understanding, and focused on needs and solutions, from both a managerial and operational perspective;
A firm believer in the sayings “Dreams are meant to be realised” and “Nothing is impossible, everything is possible”, provided one believes in oneself and takes action with a clear, precise, compelling and achievable goal;
I particularly enjoy inspiring, contributing and making my skills available to projects (IT-related or otherwise) that serve society and/or citizens, businesses, charities, entrepreneurs, and amateur or experienced (disabled) sportspeople, and individuals who love to push their limits, seek solutions, surround themselves with positive people and, above all, share a number of values with me: freedom, independence, a sense of belonging, inclusion, sharing, respect…
Are you still with me? Well done!
Perhaps this brief description resonates with you, catches your attention, gives you a glimpse of the possibilities, and makes you want to have a chat, so…
“And who are you?” What do you enjoy? What experiences have shaped the person you are today?
Feel free to reply in the comments or by private message, if you prefer.