Trust in organizations: why it rarely disappears overnight (and what executive leadership and Works Councils can do)
Summary Executives and works councils are often surprised when collaboration suddenly comes under pressure. Wasn’t there always trust?In reality, trust in organizations rarely disappears overnight. It erodes gradually, often unnoticed, until dialogue hardens and collaboration turns into positioning. In this blog, we explain how that process unfolds, which ingredients build or break trust, and what […]
The First 90 Days: How to Build Trust Between Executive and Works Council
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” — Ernest Hemingway As HR Director at Aegon, I’ve experienced it many times: a new executive or a newly elected works council. The moment new faces appear at the table, a fresh dynamic emerges along with new expectations and, sometimes, […]
Starting a Works Council? 5 opportunities you can’t afford to miss
Growth brings opportunity. For tech, fintech and other scale-ups reaching the 50-employee threshold, establishing a Works Council (WC) isn’t just a legal requirement. It’s a chance to actively involve employees in shaping the organization’s future. A well-functioning Works Council helps organizations make better decisions, strengthen support among employees, and build long-term resilience. But how do […]
Three roles of the Works Council Chair: Setting direction, building influence,and fostering connection
The role of a Works Council Chair is complex You don’t hold a formal leadership position within the council. Everyone is elected, and everyone is equal. And yet, the council often looks to you for direction, structure, and guidance. While you’re not a manager in the traditional sense, much depends on how you shape your […]