Speaker Jan van der Spoel
Whether it's a relationship with a colleague, your boss, your significant other, or even the baker, every relationship revolves around trust. Trust, however, is invisible and can constantly change. When there's a lot of trust, things go more easily, faster, with less hassle, with more motivation, more energy, and more enjoyable life.
Conceptual thinker and former Creative Director Jan van der Spoel has developed a new model that brings together six essential principles of trust. Based on several established concepts, the model allows you to easily explore whether you trust someone else, whether you yourself are trustworthy, and whether you trust yourself in a specific role.
I consider Jan the Simon Sinek of the Netherlands. I had the pleasure of working with Jan on a coaching project and learned some priceless information and processes on how to build trust. Jan is an expert on trust. Not just why it's important, but how it works and more importantly, how to build it! Thank you, Jan, for these priceless insights. - Chris Baldwin, PhD MBA ​
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Speaker impressions
Speaker reel
Speech example
An impression of previous collaborations
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Jan spoke at the HEINEKEN Nederland Supply leadership event. His short speech, followed by interview questions and a Q&A with the audience, gave the group a good idea of what it takes to build trust at work. Thanks, Jan!
– Kimra Morgownik, Change & Communication HEINEKEN
Speaking topics
The speeches listed here are examples. Jan can tailor his speeches and presentations to a specific event or audience. Combinations of topics, target audiences, and desired takeaways are always possible.
How do you increase trust in your company without having to change people?
In this keynote, Jan explains the importance of strong relationships within organizations.
Truly effective collaboration is what makes the difference between hassle, sluggishness, and resistance on one side — and success, speed, and job satisfaction on the other.Learn how trust works in organizations, how to assess it, improve it, and make it part of your everyday work.
Leadership in a VUCA and BANI world
In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable, leadership is more crucial than ever.
But how can we successfully navigate the VUCA world, filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity?Or BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) One possible answer lies in cultivating 360º Trust.
In this keynote, discover how the principles of trust can serve as a moral compass, helping you make better decisions. Learn practical strategies and insights you can apply immediately to build a more resilient organization.
Why most new leadership positions fail
(and How to Fix It)
In this keynote, Jan sheds light on the troubling state many companies find themselves in today:
60% of first-time managers fail within 18 months,
50% of mid-career executives are disengaged and nearing burnout, 40-60% of CEOs do not last longer than 18 months in a new tenure and 2 out of every 3 female managers leave the corporate world altogether.
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Why is this happening, and more importantly, how can we turn the tide?
Jan explores the root causes behind these alarming figures and offers a fresh perspective on how trust can be the key to reversing these trends.
Female leadership in a male world.
​As the son of a mother who pursued a law degree later in life and earned her PhD on the topic of “Motherhood and Work,” Jan rightfully considers himself a feminist.
Male behavior is still the norm in the business world. Unconscious patterns continue to make it harder for women to gain respect and build successful careers. It’s rarely intentional, but it is the reality.
In this keynote, Jan shares his insights on the dilemmas of female leadership, how to break through the glass ceiling, and how to stay true to yourself along the way.
A powerful session for women, and essential for male leaders.​
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I'm enthusiastic about Jan's work on trust because it's such a crucial topic in every relationship you encounter in life, including your own. I definitely recommend Jan as an expert on this topic. Jan is someone you can trust! :)
– Renske Van Kollenburg, Music Industry Coach, Event moderator
Biography
Shorter bio
Jan van der Spoel is the founder of Grip on Trust and the creator of the 360º Trust Model. He helps leaders and organizations build stronger relationships by turning trust into a practical, measurable and manageable concept. With a background in design and over 25 years in corporate communication, Jan brings structure to complex human dynamics. He is a keynote speaker, sparring partner to CEOs and mentor for first-time managers. Jan speaks both English and Dutch, and is known for his engaging, insightful talks on leadership, trust and organizational culture in times of change.
Longer
Jan van der Spoel calls himself a Designer of Trust. With a career spanning over 25 years as a creative director in corporate communication, he has helped leading brands like Unilever, KNVB, Philips and Nutricia shape their message and brand strategy. But over time, Jan discovered that behind nearly every major organizational challenge—whether it’s leadership, collaboration, or customer engagement—lies the same root cause: trust. That insight reshaped his mission. Today, Jan helps leaders build trust as a strategic asset. He is the founder of Grip on Trust and the creator of the 360º Trust Model—a practical, science-based framework for diagnosing and improving trust in professional relationships. Drawing from management science, behavioral psychology, neuroscience and sociology, Jan translated the invisible dynamics of trust into a clear, actionable method. His 360º approach enables leaders and teams to: • Assess the actual level of trust in key relationships, • Understand the behavioral and emotional causes behind it, • And take specific steps to build or restore trust intentionally. Jan is a trusted sparring partner to CEOs and a mentor to first-time managers. He supports organizations in navigating leadership transitions, culture change and complex stakeholder dynamics, always through the lens of trust. In his keynote talks and executive sessions, Jan makes complex human dynamics feel accessible and actionable. He is known for his clear thinking, sharp analysis and engaging delivery. His presentations offer not just insight, but a way forward—particularly valuable in today’s VUCA world, where trust is often the missing piece in decision-making, execution and collaboration. Whether it’s a strategy offsite, client summit, leadership retreat or industry conference, Jan brings a mix of inspiration and clarity. He speaks both English and Dutch, and customizes each engagement to match the goals of the event.