Ten years ago, I had my reservations. I considered the importance of effective communication within and outside a company, especially when it comes to capturing the subtleties of language—something that’s vital in sensitive HR matters.
Today, my perspective has completely changed.
Over the last six years, I’ve seen hundreds of participants in the English-language programme ‘Dutch Employment Law & HR for Contemporary Management’. I’ve learned that who you are as a person, along with the knowledge and experience you bring from different backgrounds, can significantly enrich Dutch organisations—and even Dutch society. To be honest, we Dutch often think of ourselves as more progressive than we truly are. We need all the help we can get to become more inclusive and diverse.I’ve witnessed that who you are as a person, and what you bring to the table with all the knowledge & experience gained elsewhere, can greatly enrich Dutch organizations, as well as Dutch society. On a personal note: we Dutch in many respects are not nearly as progressive as we think ourselves to be and we need all the help we can get in becoming more inclusive and more diverse.
Moreover, in companies with a growing international or expat workforce, having HR professionals who understand the challenges of relocating and adapting to a new environment—both professionally and personally—can be invaluable.