Connecting my dots

I have been connecting some dots lately. Starting Essence of Change is not a coincidence. People who know me a little bit, can tell I have been a change management enthusiast since college. But where did this blog idea come from? A little story about where it all began…

When I was a junior consultant at Logica, I participated in an MBA Module Change Management at the Rotterdam Business School. For each topic we had to submit an essay. I had so much fun with this. My favorite business to explore. The writing came easily for me as well. Win win. Oftentimes, I received the feedback I should deliver more writing. That my writing was good, accessible, interesting. However, I suffered from limiting beliefs. Who am I to write or even publish? Who would read this? What would they think? I finished the MBA module successfully, and didn’t write any more.

In 2016 I visited the Happinez festival with my dear friend Naomi. Amongst other things, we visited a talk of Dr. Srini Pillay. An Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Business School. He talked about brain science. How having less focus could lead to more creativity. He also talked about connecting the dots, referring to Steve Jobs’ famous talk. It was very inspiring and I had to buy his book right away. Naomi persuaded me to go have my book signed. These signings always feel awkward to me, so I didn’t want to. But Naomi insisted and I’m happy she convinced me (picture credits are also hers!).

Dr. Srini Pillay signed my book and there was the usual small talk. I thanked him for sharing his vision and research. It truly inspired me, especially his view on people and their brain in future organisations. While things are getting more automated, we do need people still-perhaps even more.

I then explained my future dream to write and publish blogposts on my view on organisations. Because I felt it was different than the usual school of change management. He looked me right in the eye all of a sudden. Saying: you should start right now! He sounded urgent and very convincing, like he truly believed in me. No more small talk for sure.

Looking back, connecting my dots, it was a significant moment. It felt like it. Naomi felt it too. We joked about the bright future of my blog, walking away from the book signing. Well, here it is! It took me a while, but Essence of Change is here. And it brings me so much joy to share my curiosity and daily experiences with you! Keep posted for more.

Learn more about Dr. Srini Pillay and his research at www.drsrinipillay.com.