Through the Cracks: Illuminating Leadership's Transformative Journey with Boy van Droffelaar - Walk Talk Listen (episode 176)

Dr. Boy van Droffelaar, born in 1949, shares his fascinating journey from a childhood marked by frequent moves to a successful career in corporate leadership and ultimately to facilitating wilderness-based leadership programs. In this episode, Boy recounts how his early experiences adapting to new environments shaped his curiosity and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. He discusses his education in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration at Twente University, and how a passionate teacher sparked his interest in the human aspects of technology.

Boy describes his career progression at AkzoNobel, where he started as an organizational consultant and eventually became a divisional president. Also his years at Randstad and SaraLee (Boy spent most his career at this consumer goods company) are being discussed. He emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence from mentors in his professional growth. The conversation touches on Boy's transition from corporate life to his current work in leadership development, culminating in his PhD from Wageningen University & Research on the impact of wilderness-based training programs on leadership transformation. Boy's unique approach to leadership development, combining his corporate experience with a deep appreciation for nature, offers listeners valuable insights into personal and professional growth.

 

Listener Engagement:

• Discover more about Boy via his personal website (where you can also find his podcast) and the website of The Foundation of Natural Leadership. His social media handles LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and don't forget to check out his book The Impact of a Wilderness-Based Training Program on Leadership Transformation.
• Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us.
• Explore the songs selected by Boy and other guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here.

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