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AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

 

 

Are you a leader, entrepreneur, or professional seeking more authenticity, impact, and meaning in your role?

 

This is your invitation to take the next step— A courageous journey inward and outward, to rediscover yourself both as a person and as a leader. We believe that true transformation begins with reflection—understanding the present to consciously shape the future. This is a profound and transformative experience where you become part of something greater than yourself.

 

Your Leadership Journey

 

 

Over the course of four intensive days, you will explore what authentic leadership truly means for you. You will break through limiting patterns and discover how to move forward with clarity and confidence. This program takes you out of your daily routine and invites you to examine yourself, your environment, and your role as a leader from a systemic perspective. Within a small, close-knit group of a maximum of 12 participants, you will work on your personal and professional development, with a deep focus on the underlying dynamics that influence your leadership.

 

 

Under the expert guidance of dr. Jürg Thölke and dr. Rombout van den Nieuwenhof —two seasoned professionals with a combined experience of over 60 years in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth—you will receive personal and targeted coaching. Their unique approach combines academic rigor with deep practical expertise. Their style is sharp, engaged, and respectful, with a strong emphasis on genuine connection and authenticity.

The stunning setting of Quinta da Alcaidaria-Mór in Ourém, Portugal provides a unique space for reflection, interaction, and action. Here, you will move beyond standard leadership models and uncover hidden patterns and dynamics that shape your leadership through an experiential and systemic approach. Depth psychology, group dynamics, and systemic work form the foundation of this transformative four-day journey. 

 

What Will This Program Bring You?

     
  • Clarity on your next-level leadership: you will leave with a clear action plan for your future. You will understand your unique strengths and the challenges ahead.
  • Experience, theory and action: this is a hands-on, experiential program that combines academic rigor with practical, embodied knowledge. You will learn by doing, feeling, imagining, intuiting, and experiencing what authentic leadership truly means—and how to integrate it into your daily life
  • Deep self-reflection: discover what empowers you, what holds you back, and how to fully leverage your authentic qualities.
  • Systemic awareness: learn to recognize hidden dynamics within organizations, families, and communities, and understand how your role influences the bigger context.
  • Insight into others: gain the ability to see what remains hidden in interactions with colleagues, young talents, and experienced professionals, and learn how to effectively guide them toward their own strengths. 
  • Thinkers and concepts: we share a love for deep concepts and critical reflection. We are selective about academic insights, skeptical of most mainstream management books, but passionate about thinkers who truly contribute something meaningful. 
Click here to access the brochure with all the information
Schedule Your Free Exploratory Call

- Facilitators -

Jürg & Rombout – Guides in Leadership & Transformation

Jürg and Rombout are experienced facilitators who have supported leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals in their growth and transformation for many years. Their approach is tailored, personal, and direct, combining sharpness with empathy. They do not differ as opposites but as complements, enriching each other’s methods. Together, they stand at the edge of vulnerability, always in service of the participant.

With deep roots in both practice and academia, they integrate insights from systemic work, group dynamics, Eastern and Western psychology, psychodynamics, and organizational theory. Their guidance is radically honest yet compassionate, creating a safe space for reflection, growth, and action.

They do not offer ready-made answers, but rather guide participants toward deeper insights and concrete solutions. They help leaders take their next step—with depth, appreciation, and a broad perspective on the world.

Collaboration for them means bringing their individual strengths side by side. At times, one takes the lead, then the other. Alternating, complementing, and supporting each other in the process.

Jürg Thölke

Born in Switzerland, shaped by a life of movement and continuous reinvention. His curiosity about how people and systems function is at the core of everything he does —as a researcher, facilitator, teacher, advisor, entrepreneur, parent, and partner. Always a teacher and a learner.

He was a professor at HAN University of Applied Sciences and Inholland, leading the Master’s program in Supervision and Coaching. He remains involved in leadership education within the MBA program at Nyenrode Business University.

As an entrepreneur, he has worked with companies such as Brunel, Heijmans, DHL, TKH, and Achmea.

Rombout van den Nieuwenhof

Is a psychologist, trainer, coach, and organizational advisor, specializing in complex change processes and personal leadership development.

He earned his PhD from the University of Amsterdam, researching the dynamics of change processes, and teaches in various (post)academic programs.

As the founder of ZENO, an advisory firm within a network of like-minded professionals, Rombout offers tailored solutions in organizational development, coaching, and peer supervision.

Authentic Leadership Program

Would you like to participate in the Authentic Leadership Program or receive more information? Please fill out this form.

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Jeroen Winkelhorst

Senior Personal Coach

''In working with Jürg (in facilitating groups), I have learned to give yourself space time and again to experience what-is. On the one hand, daring to stand still at what is showing itself now, in this moment in this situation. On the other hand, turning in to and being present with yourself. Just from this inner experiencing, to become aware of what's going on, what wants to become visible and whether ''I'' have to do something or not. Being together with Jürg in coaching situations is always instructive and inspiring. By how he deals with the issue or situation. But even more so by seeing how he is aware and deploys himself and his own questions or doubts. He shows how to be an instrument himself in the service of what the other person, the issue and the situation requires.''

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Jeroen Kerkhof

Managing Director Public Search

''With Jürg, I developed international leadership programmes for Brunel. He knows how to connect the personal with the business like no other and bridges the gap between theory and practice seamlessly. Jürg has a keen eye for what is going on - both within the group and with the individual - and knows how to expose in an appreciative way what is going on above and below the surface at personal, team and organisational level.

Participants from diverse cultures discovered what drives them as leaders in a complex world and how to authentically shape their leadership. They learned how to use their unique perspectives to strengthen teams, act confidently and create inclusive, safe environments in which people grow.''

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Peter Baken

Managing Director, Promens Roto

''Rombout listens with great attention and understanding to your story.
He analyzes and questions with sensitivity, searching for the deeper layers. He
constantly checks if you feel comfortable with the questions and the path taken.
Together, you gradually uncover the core issue and learn to understand yourself
better.''

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Victor Vas

Managing Director Ovation

''Despite striving for many years to develop my leadership skills, both by following trainings and working with multiple coaches, I was unhappy with the lack of progress to the point I was unsure if this kind of development was at all for me. However, after just a few sessions with Jürg, if finally "hit me" and I found the proverbial key to unlock my own personal potential in this area. I also realised that sometimes it's not about how long and hard one tries to make progress, but instead having the right person next to you asking the right questions and instilling the right perspective. Jürg not only was very experienced but used several techniques I had not been exposed to before, despite trying for many years. I am happy to have found Jürg and I will forever be grateful to him for opening up a door I didn't believe was meant to be opened.''

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William de Kaste

Working at HAN Educational Sciences and self-employed

''Jürg Thölke's guidance has helped me to look at my leadership more consciously. His focus on systems approaches such as the place of difficulty, working with constellations and being open to the 'not knowing' has challenged me to examine my own patterns and actions from a different perspective. What I appreciate is the space he creates to reflect on my own choices and how they relate to my environment. It has helped me to look more consciously at what is really needed and how I can play my part in that. His approach invited me not to act thoughtlessly, but to consciously reflect on my behaviour and its effects. It also taught me the importance of staying connected with others, both in personal and professional situations. This strengthens my ability to improve cooperation and achieve results that have real impact.''

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Brayn Van Russel

IT Consultancy

''Jürg, your insight, expertise and enlightening words have helped me take leadership in my own life. Thanks to you, my emotional journey to Suriname, the land of my roots, has become a true exploration of myself. I have realised that the pain from my childhood and young adult life was not my fault and now feel reborn. 

With renewed peace, I am enjoying fatherhood and have made Suriname my second (t)home.''

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Raoul Wirtz

Learning & Development Business Partner and Curriculum Manager specialists development Alliander NV.

''With Jürg, it is always about what really matters. Like no other, he knows how to link his vast academic knowledge to daily practice in organisations. His working method is touching and well-constructed. This is how he helps you progress as a person, as a professional and as a leader. What makes Jürg special is his ability to really see people, sense systems and convey complex insights in an accessible way. As a participant, you come closer to yourself and further in your work. He is a facilitator who shapes facilitation with knowledge, intuition, precision and professionalism - exactly what is needed in these times of major social changes.''

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Lucas van Leeuwen

Project Manager, Waternet

''The unique approach—merging theory and practice—helped me deepen my thought
processes and better understand complex situations. The safe and open
environment encouraged reflection and personal growth.
What made this program special was the combination of underlying theory, practical
tools, and peer intervision sessions. This enabled me to better understand myself
and become more effective in my role.
Connecting Change has enriched me not only professionally, but also strengthened
me as a person, with a lasting impact on both my work and personal life.''

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Barry Polak

Lead Product Owner Commerce

''In 2022, I participated in the MBA module Leadership and Cooperation with 2 colleagues from ABN AMRO. This module made a huge positive impact on me and my colleagues. Both professionally and privately, I gained a lot from it. The intensity and excellent coaching by Jürg taught me a lot about myself and created a great bond with the other participants, with whom I still have a lot of contact. The way of systemic constellations and looking at Leadership are groundbreaking. Especially with the way Jürg guides this. Highly recommended.''

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Mark Weernink

Director Business Development, Nedap Healthcare

''The coaching with Rombout has helped me tremendously.
A lot became visible—things that previously weren’t clearly defined. Even when I
didn’t have a direct coaching question, he was able to pinpoint exactly where my
next step in leadership lay.
He switches smoothly between attentive listening and intervening or pointing out
what needs attention. And he always has tools ready to help guide me in the right
direction.''

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Matthan de Boom

Director Delivery, Deltek

''During the ‘Leadership & Cooperation’ module of the Nyenrode BIT MBA, we
worked on how my past influences my current leadership style and way of
collaborating.
Knowing yourself, recognizing patterns, and gaining insight into where certain
challenges come from are central to this module. Recognizing patterns from the past
was a challenge for me.
Rombout helped me in a pleasant and calm manner to make the connection
between past and present and how that influences my leadership.
In our conversations, we continuously focused on the (psychological) link between
practice and my past. It gave me valuable insights and added a new dimension to
my leadership challenges.''

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Masoud Zamani Esteki

Principal Investigator / Assistant Professor, Clinical Genetics, Maastricht UMC+

''Rombout is not only an expert in the leadership realm but also has a solid
background in psychology.
I found this combination excellent, as it allows for a tailored coaching strategy and
provides an amenable atmosphere for developing individualized leadership styles.
Rombout has a well-structured framework during the coaching sessions that also
ensures perseverance in practicing leadership. He is patient and open-minded, but
at the same time challenges your thoughts and ideas on being an effective leader.
I believe the latter helps with maturing as a leader. I found working with Rombout
pleasant.''

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Michel van Velde

CEO, One Shoe

''As a successful advertising and internet agency, we had grown rapidly.
I noticed that my leadership and communication style no longer matched the size of
the company. Through personal coaching, Rombout provided me with refined
insights that I could never have dreamed of—even after reading many management
and leadership books.
Thanks to his background as a psychologist, his knowledge of complex and dynamic
change processes, and his many years of experience as a trainer, coach, and
organizational consultant, he is well-versed in a wide range of issues.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, for all your great advice, for your trust, and
your support in our growth.''