On Sept 29, along with Ruud Lubbers (former Dutch PM), Yves Leterme (Belgian PM), Ad Melkert (UN Envoy Iraq), Marijn Dekkers (CEO Bayer), Atzo Nicolai (CEO DSM Nederland), I was a speaker at the conference of Asset, the Faculty Association of the Tilburg School of Economics and Management. The theme was The Blueprint of Success; unraveling the secret.
Central question was “What is the key to success?” looking at an individual, business and (inter)national level of success. Does a connection between the different stages of success exist? Can successful individuals build up an successful company? And, is a successful country able to generate successful citizens? In addition, is there a downside to success, can one only be successful at the expense of somebody else? My contribution was to point out that no-one person or business can be truly successful in a society or ecosystem that fails. Thus, in order to achieve success, future leaders need to walk a path that contains at least some degree of contributing to society and redesigning systems that fail. I pointed to principles of nature (such as resilience) and the mind (well-being and meaning) for guidance on this path.
