my story

‘My journey has taught me that as leaders we can achieve more meaningful impact by staying whole, open and healthy’

Mette Gonggrijp - Founder

During more than 20 years in diplomacy, international cooperation and leadership my interest in human development expanded.

I found myself searching to understand what drives people, how human interactions are shaped and fruitful relations are built. Wanting to understand why certain communities and countries are thriving and others struggling and mostly surviving. Trying to comprehend what lies at the root of adversity and conflict and how to build trust, justice and peace. I witnessed that deep understanding and experiencing creates possibilities for lasting transformation.

From my first internship at the Stockholm Peace Research Institute to a more recent contribution at a UN informal Security Council on women's rights, my heart and actions have always been directed toward creating meaningful steps, both small and big, towards the fulfilment of people’s human rights and human dignity.

My belief is to practise what we advocate and stand for. Only by living and leading by example will we create the transformation we aspire in and outside of our teams. Whole leadership emerges when we live and work while in tune with our values, integrity, energy, talent, physical and mental capabilities. When we bring our whole human being to work with our unique personal history, experience and vulnerabilities rather than leaving those at home. 

Our demanding, high pressure work environments more than ever cause us to involuntarily neglect the human aspects of ourselves and others.

As leaders we work hard and long hours, skip breaks, sacrifice sports and family time to meet demands. We start noticing that we run on autopilot. We feel like we have to perform like a superhuman. We realise we are surviving rather than thriving. We feel fatigued, low on energy and rushed. We think we mostly make rational decisions, yet emotions and feelings play a larger role in decision making. We experience stress and we don’t manage it effectively. If only we had more time; more time for our team, the children, friends and exercise. And… some more time to sleep. 

As an ambitious, mission driven female leader I travelled down this road. Until one day my body and mind just put the brakes on. Since then, my journey has been trying to understand what happened. Listening to what the stories my heart, mind and body tell me. Realising what makes me whole and human. Learning how to heal and overcome an earlier complex post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Doing research into scientific evidence on burn-out, mental health, stress management and resilience. Relearning to live and feel alive. Training my inner leadership. Exploring what matters most to me. Experiencing that my biggest power lies in my vulnerabilities. 

I found my mission in realising that our education system fails to teach us how to be our whole selves. How to build a resilient stress system. How to be highly dedicated to work and live a fulfilling life. My personal journey has taught me that it is possible, with the right commitment, guidance and knowledge.