From sports to sports floor
Wiljan compares his role as Sports Manager at Sika to a daily competition: "We try to win every day with our team." His career path has been shaped by both professional and personal choices, always guided by values, beliefs, and principles. "You live life moving forward, but you judge it in hindsight," says Wiljan.
Adversity as a flywheel
Where others stumble, Wiljan sees opportunities to learn. "Setback? Headwinds make the kite fly," he learned from a former football manager. His mindset is clear: ego aside, learn from every situation, and keep going. Not from naiveté, but from deep reflection and personal strength.
Investing in people always pays off
For Wiljan, personal development is the greatest success. Not the career move or the company itself, but what you learn about yourself along the way. "Training leads to reflection. Even if you learn just one thing that structurally contributes to your goals, it's worth the investment." That's why Sika consciously focuses on both professional and personal growth.
Leadership with a human face
As a leader, Wiljan believes in building strong companies through strong people. His vision? "Development takes place on two axes: professional and personal. And you have to invest in both." His team knows where it stands, but also that there's room for the person behind the colleague.
Reflection as a success factor
Wiljan repeatedly cites reflection as the key to balance and success. It helps him reassess choices, adjust behavior, and stay aware in a world that's constantly turning. "Sometimes you do things that you later wonder: why? Reflection prevents you from getting stuck in patterns that don't suit you."
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