Ten lessons about leadership by Ronald de Jong, the first Dutch ‘Professor of Practice’

Estimated reading time: 1-3 minutes

Tilburg, the Netherlands - To reinforce its impact on society and strengthen its ties with practice, Tilburg University last year introduced the new position of ‘Professor of Practice’, to be occupied by an innovative business leader or entrepreneur working in an internationally oriented company.

Ronald De Jong, Philips’ Chief Human Resource Officer and member of the company’s Executive Committee, was appointed to this position in the university’s School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) in June 2017. For graduate students about to enter the labor market, his input will be of immense value.

In a globalizing world, fast-changing developments continuously force companies to act, while exponential growth in technological advancement has drastically reduced the average lifespan of companies. The resulting crises – financial, economic and monetary – are mainly crises of value. Today, change has become the only constant in life, which means that both current and future leaders must embrace and lead it. They must challenge conventional beliefs and disrupt the status quo to avoid themselves being disrupted. Persistent convictions – ‘deadly beliefs’ that are no longer challenged – must be challenged and if found wanting, must be cast aside. In his new position of Professor of Practice, Ronald de Jong will share with students his insights in to these, and many other issues facing the leaders of the future.

De Jong’s ten lessons in leadership can be heard during his upcoming oration today, at 16:15 pm CET in the Aula University building, Warandelaan 2, Tilburg.