What is the best way to encourage companies to become more sustainable? And how do we ensure that they take into account the external effects of their activities more? In addition to executives, according to David Veredas, professor of Finance and Sustainability and director of the Center for Sustainable Finance at Vlerick Business School, governments also have a role to play: ‘They should encourage market parties to behave responsibly.’

In The Council series, top experts address a current Boardroom topic. This time: stakeholder engagement. A professor and three sustainability directors present five best practices for optimizing the relationship with a wide circle of internal and external stakeholders. But note: ‘Stakeholder management is different from management by stakeholders.’

How does Cindy Kroon, Chief Commercial Officer of energy supplier Vattenfall Netherlands, handle the energy transition and energy crisis, the sustainability imperative and social responsibility in the face of growing energy poverty? And how does the group handle criticism that comes with being under the magnifying glass of politics, media, NGO’s and society? 'It chafes, our ambition is genuine.'

As the new CEO of pension provider APG, Annette Mosman walked a staggering 200km with an array of stakeholders to find out what is happening both within and outside of the organization. Listening is at the core of the new leadership style advocated by the Top Woman of the Year 2022 and Supervisory Board member of Ajax. “For some people it takes some getting used to that as a leader, you do not just stand on a rock and dictate which direction the organization is going to take.”

It is good to strive for psychological safety, but a completely safe organization with 43,000 employees does not exist. A safer organization does, according to Janine Vos. Rabobank's CHRO talks about clear and people-oriented leadership and her own personal development: 'A good leader knows their own pitfalls and has the courage to share them with others.'

In the series De Raad (‘The Council’), top experts examine an ongoing boardroom theme. This time: creating a respectful and safe organization as a beacon in uncertain times and a turbulent world. Four best practices from culture and behavior specialist Smaranda Boros from Vlerick Business School and the CHROs from Fugro, KPN and Randstad Nederland. ‘We must address the pressure created by the current situation.’

In the series De Raad (‘The Council’), top experts examine an ongoing boardroom topic. This time, it was ‘Collaboration in platforms and ecosystems’. What is the best way to play the strategic platform game? Five best practices from the Innovation and FinTech Specialist at Vlerick Business School and the CIOs of Eneco and LeasePlan. ‘Dare to think big.’

Ralf Wetzel, Professor Organization & Applied Arts at Vlerick Business School, grew up under a communist regime. Twenty years of suppressing emotions and keeping a straight face resulted in burn-out and a depression. An improv theater class turned his life upside down. Now he puts his findings into business. ‘You can find treasures.’