What is the role of executive leaders in a collaborative change process? In this inspiring episode, we sit down withsociologist and former university executive, Lieteke van Vucht Tijssen. She takes us back to a pivotal moment in her career: stepping in as interim board member at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences in crisis. With financial instability and declining educational quality, Lieteke faced the challenge of turning things around—without resorting to yet another costly reorganization. Instead, she championed a bold cultural shift: moving from a rigid, top-down management style to a participatory, quality-driven educational ethos. She takes us behind the scenes of a pivotal moment—the 2010 “Craftsmanship andMastery” conference, where 300 staff, students, and leaders came together for a one-day large-scale intervention. Through carefully designed dialogue, clearframeworks, and inclusive participation, the university community began to reimagine itself—not as a “bachelor production machine,” but as a true house of education. Through her story, we explore the power of intrinsic motivation, professional responsibility, and the role of co-creation in building sustainable change. She also shares practical lessons on executive leadership, student engagement, and sustaining change through follow-up actions.

Chapters

• Introduction to Lieteke and the executive perspective
• A university in crisis: Challenges for the interim board
• Turnaround to a quality culture in education, engaging the whole system
• Applying the Large Scale Interventions approach for whole system change
• Establishing clear boundaries for the playing field for collaboration
• Forming a stakeholder steering commission, including a governor
• Challenges at the top, fear of losing control
• Courageous leadership to overcome fear and misunderstandings
• A one-day large group conference to initiate the turnaround
• Clear frameworks forcollaboration
• Follow-up actions to sustain change and growth
• As a governor, take daily sorrows and small results into account

More info

• Lieteke van Vucht Tijssen on LinkedIn
• Article ‘Enhancing the Impact of Co-Creation Research: Large Scale InterventionsWith a Stakeholder Steering Committee for Whole System Engagement’
• Article ‘Kwaliteit als cultuur. Ruimte voor de innerlijke drive van HBO studenten’ (Dutch)

In this episode, we welcome Babah Tarawally, a journalist, columnist, and author originally from Sierra Leone. Baba discusses the philosophy of Ubuntu and its relevance to creating a level playing field for collaboration. He shares his experiences as a migrant from Sierra Leone to the Netherlands, highlighting the challenges of integration and the importance of seeing each other as human beings. The discussion also touches on the need for reciprocity in relationships, the differences in how migrants and refugees are welcomed, and the role of community support systems in fostering a sense of belonging. Reflecting on the broader journey of life, Babah encourages listeners to consider what they will leave behind for future generations. He stresses the importance of investing in others and taking care of the environment, so that we leave the world in a better state for those who come after us.

Read the transcript

More information

Babah Tarawally on Wikipedia

Books by Babah Tarawally (overview and descriptions)

Column in Trouw (Dutch daily newspaper)

In this episode, we welcome Siddharth, a senior banker from Bengaluru, India, with over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. Siddharth shares his inspiring journey of living with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his coordination, and how he has overcome numerous challenges to achieve success. He holds multiple master's degrees and has authored a book titled "Simply Being Sidd." Siddharth is also a motivational speaker who enjoys discussing topics such as leadership, management, and self-awareness. He shares stories of how his childhood experiences have made him mentally stronger and how he has learned to take control of situations without worrying about others' perceptions of his condition. Siddharth highlights that effective collaboration requires a two-way process towards a common goal. He also talks about the importance of building personal relationships before starting any collaborative project. He shares his strategies for connecting with colleagues, especially those who may have different perceptions about disability. Siddharth's advice for facilitators, leaders, and researchers is to take the time to get to know each other and build relationships before expecting collaboration. He emphasises that understanding each other as whole human beings, beyond any disabilities or differences, is crucial for effective collaboration. Tune in to hear Siddharth's valuable insights on leadership, collaboration, and the importance of personal connections in creating an inclusive and productive work environment.

Listen with subtitles Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Siddharth

03:02 Childhood Experiences and Collaboration

07:13 The Importance of Getting to Know Each Other

13:46 Overcoming Perceptions of Disability

21:42 The Essence of Collaboration Beyond Disabilities

More info

Siddharth on LinkedIn

Simply being Sidd! My fight with life and God, book (2017)

Am I normal?: Siddharth GJ at TEDxEMWS 11 min. video

CavinKare Ability Mastery Award 2021, 2 min. video on Siddharth mission

TEDxGateway- Siddarth GJ- Love yourself and Life will follow its own Path