Walter van Kuijen
Coach
Walter has over 30 years of leadership experience in strategy, digital innovation, and transformation across the private, public, and healthcare sectors. His work is guided by a clear principle: “A circle is only complete when you close it.”
At Philips, he led global initiatives and built strategic partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, the International Red Cross, and governments worldwide. These experiences shaped his conviction that leadership carries a responsibility to create sustainable and equitable impact.
Since 2019, Walter has focused on what he calls “closing circles”: supporting leaders and organizations through meaningful transformation. As CEO of smartQare, he leads a social enterprise from vision to market impact. He also serves as a non-executive director on hospital and healthcare data boards and works as a coach to leaders navigating complex change.
Walter’s strength lies in connecting purpose to action, strategy to execution, and ambition to lasting impact.
Methodologies
- Assessments & questionnaires
- Leadership models and presence techniques
- Negotiation & teambuilding skills
- Sherpa 10 footprints
- Vision boards
- Years of experience
Working style
Walter starts every coaching journey with a deep discovery phase. A thorough intake establishes mutual fit and clarifies goals, creating a clear “travel plan” that provides direction while allowing flexibility along the way.
Coaching is typically structured in six sessions, with availability between sessions via phone, WhatsApp, or email. Support therefore extends beyond the scheduled meetings.
He works with a broad range of tools and frameworks tailored to each leader’s context, including the Sherpa 10 Footprints model, energy assessments, literature, podcasts, vision boards, and DNA questionnaires. When relevant, Walter also shares insights from his own leadership journey across cultures and industries.
The coaching is experiential and action-oriented. Real-life situations are explored, new approaches are practiced, and insights are translated into concrete leadership behavior.
Connection and accountability are central. Walter creates space for reflection and vulnerability, while also challenging leaders to step beyond their comfort zone. Each trajectory concludes with a focused evaluation, capturing key insights and outcomes for continued development.
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Walter van Kuijen
Coach