Challenging Leadership

Ruben Goedhoop, a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers was recently announced the new CEO of Aruba’s health service provider, AZV, with a 400-million-florin annual budget and 120.000 island residents as clients.

The way he sees it, at age 48, he felt the tugging at his heart strings when the offer came, the urge to do the right thing for his country and abandon a top position in the private sector in order to serve the public.

He knew he was needed, and that he could contribute.

In his interview with the MinHealth, the official asked: “Will you be loyal to the ministry?” And Goedhoop’ s answer was no, adding he will be loyal to the chair, representing AZV’s best interest, upon which the MinHealth agreed, he was the best candidate for the job, which in turn earned the official brownie points for rising above political affiliations.

The upcoming transition brings Goedhoop into his new office at AZV on August 15th, and his is not a political nomination, which I applaud, because our health service provider truly needs a skilled leader and strategist at the helm.

With socialized medicine on the island Goedhoop has his work cut out for him. As medical costs are sky rocketing, his challenge will be to teach us how to properly use the so-called FREE health services, in order to eliminate abuse and utilize public funds more efficiently.

Goedhoop is familiar with the leadership term. During his tenure at PWC — which will be transitioning into Grant Thornton: Audit, Tax and Advisory Services soon — Goedhoop paid great attention to that rare commodity, by organizing a number of successful conferences, as part of the PWC Leadership Academy, he helped found in 2014.

Last year, at the Renaissance Convention Center, when PWC hosted its annual call to all leaders to step up and shape up, Goedhoop held a talk, titled Challenging Leadership. He came up with an interesting graph, describing the intricate process of transforming a leader into a Challenging Leader and thereby creating the Drive of Excitement where everyone sets the bar higher and achieves more.

The talk resulted in a book, Aruba’s first management how-to manual, inviting leaders to consistently engage in important leadership actions and activate the Drive of Excitement in others.

The book edited by Rosabelle Illes, reads well, 122 pages of the wisdom Goedhoop accumulated as the leader of the Advisory Practice. It will be available soon at local book stores, I already got my copy signed by the author!  

Here’s an excerpt, Step Up, by Goedhoop:

We must step up to the occasion

As individuals, as organizations and as a nation!

This is no coincidence
That we are talking about emotional intelligence.
Emotions are in abundance
But how to use them, control them is about perseverance.

As leaders we must take our responsibility
Because it is upon us, eventually
To initiate,
To delegate,
To motivate and
To cultivate.

We must step up to the occasion
As individuals, as organizations and as a nation!

Leadership is about what you think
Leadership is about what you feel
And ultimately leadership is what you DO.

Here is a tip:
Do not fear to express your leadership.
People will embrace your guidance
And your actions
As long as they are pure and constructive.
Consistent and productive

Emotional intelligence
Is about convergence,
About consistency
And honesty.

Transfer anger in explanation.
Steer from dissatisfaction to motivation
And express your direction with a vision and dedication.

My vision is that we must step up to the occasion
As individuals, as organizations and as a nation!

You are part of the leadership
And you are all well-equipped.
So why not step up and rise,
Merely listening will not suffice!
Action is what defines us.
Thus…

Stand up and join me!
As a group or individually.
Don’t be afraid,
Do not wait,
Together we stand as one.
Together we can get it done!

So, step up to the occasion as individuals,
As organizations and as a nation.

Now we are going somewhere.
Why are you still there?
Why are you still in your chair?
Get up and stand with me.
Get up and say with me.
Your leadership is key.
Set it free
If you believe this, please repeat after me, collectively:
“As a leader I will go”
“I will grow and let grow”
“I will inspire and motivate, build and initiate”

Thank you for your participation
I have no doubt in you nor in this nation
Because I know that we can,
And I don’t give a damn.
If it means that people will look to me
To provide guidance or let it be
To lead or even maybe
Be out of my own comfort zone
For correcting actions that I will not condone.

The success of this event is measured only in one way,
It is not about today.
It is about what are you going to say.
Wait no, it is about what are you going to do,
When your leadership is called upon, will you follow through?
This is my measure of success.
You should not be afraid
To step up to the plate.

Finally, I really appreciate your willingness
To not be emotionless.
Be the leader that you are
And I am convinced you and I will reach far.

Let’s continue with our goal,
Let’s give it much more soul!
Give it your time and inspiration,
Because after my humble evaluation.
This is definitely needed, it is a privilege,
Use it as bridge.
To go forward, to get better
Always together!

Come and join me
On this leadership journey,
And say together with me:
We must step up to the occasion.
As individuals, as organizations and as a nation.
This is what I will do,
Alone and together with all of you
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, every day
This is what I pray.

 

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July 19, 2018
Rona Coster