When people are truly in their element, something remarkable happens. That is where the difference lies.

Odgers, a specialist in Executive Search and Leadership Services, is pleased to welcome Mathijs van Meer. Together, Odgers and Mathijs are launching a new initiative focused on the personal and professional development of executives. In this personal interview, Mathijs — who has more than ten years’ experience in private equity — discusses his journey from private equity to leadership coaching and explains why reflection is central to his approach. Ed van der Sande, Leadership Partner at Odgers, speaks with him.

Ed: “Mathijs, you’ve seen it all in the investment world — companies that achieved outstanding success and others that failed completely. What recurring pattern kept standing out to you? And how did that insight lead to this new initiative?”

Mathijs: “What struck me most was that people always made the difference, and that the tone set by the leadership drove the outcomes. Where the tone was right, we saw the best returns, the greatest sense of enjoyment, and a genuine feeling of ‘we’re in this together’. Time and again I observed something special when there was real chemistry and connection — whether within the management team or between the team and us as investors. That energy permeated everything we did. It kept bringing me back to one fundamental question: when are you truly operating at your best? That question wouldn’t let go of me. After attending leadership programmes at Stanford and London Business School, and following my departure from Gilde Equity Management, I decided to explore it more deeply.”

Ed: “You keep talking about ‘being in your element’ — what does that mean to you?”

Mathijs: “To me it’s about taking responsibility and being in the right position to achieve a goal. Responsibility begins with a choice: what matters so much to you that you will make a real commitment — first and foremost to yourself. That sounds simple, but in practice it often isn’t.

The second element — getting into the right position — is more complex and layered. What I’ve become increasingly clear about is how crucial other people are to getting the best out of yourself. Not just for their expertise, but for the power of connection: together you achieve things you simply couldn’t on your own. Here lies a paradox for many entrepreneurs and high-performance leaders. Their greatest strength — the ability to get a lot done independently — can also be their biggest pitfall. When it comes to personal effectiveness, reflection is essential. And truly working on yourself is not something you can do alone. For people used to doing everything themselves, that may feel counterintuitive — but it’s exactly what’s needed to realise their full potential.”

Ed: “How do you translate that into leadership and actually achieving your objectives?”

Mathijs: “One of my key insights is the importance of understanding what drives other people — and how to align with those drivers both in substance and in style. A successful entrepreneur once told me, ‘Life is all about social engineering.’ Yet I found that under pressure this is often the first thing to be abandoned, even when people know better. When I started to study the psychology behind it, many things fell into place. It became clear how powerful it can be to consciously maintain focus on connection — with yourself and with others — even, or especially, under pressure.”

Ed: “Sounds rather serious.”

Mathijs: “(Laughs) Yes, that’s true. I also appreciate having someone hold up that mirror to me from time to time. People who know me well will tell you that when I’m operating at my best, I combine goal-orientation and discipline with a good dose of enjoyment and connection. In those moments I get the most satisfaction and perform at my best. What’s fascinating is how you get into that place and stay there — and that’s always a highly personal matter.”

Ed: “How do you think your former world and colleagues will view this initiative?”

Mathijs: “That’s really a question you’d have to ask them. What I do know is that almost everyone in my ‘former’ world, as you put it, is driven to get the best out of themselves. The ambition to grow, perform and make an impact is very strong. That’s exactly what I want to support: helping people to excel professionally while continuing to grow personally.

And why is Odgers launching this initiative?”

Ed: “For years we’ve seen that it isn’t always easy for executives to keep developing in a meaningful way. Questions such as ‘What do I need for my next step?’, ‘How do I get the best out of myself?’ and ‘What is my real potential?’ come up in almost every conversation we have. Our recent survey also shows that while many executives value personal development and do invest time in it, they are not always satisfied with the quality or frequency of that investment. That leaves potential untapped — and that’s a missed opportunity. With this initiative we want to change that. We aim to create an environment where leaders can work on themselves in a meaningful way, with the right support at the right time.

Ed: “And what’s your view of the executive coaching and counselling market? How do you see its future?”

Mathijs: “The market today is quite fragmented. There are countless providers with widely varying quality, which makes it hard and time-consuming to find the right match. Even with a good recommendation, it’s uncertain whether someone truly fits your personality and specific development needs. I also believe that leaders — whether entrepreneurs or executives in other roles — bring a particular dynamic that needs to be understood and experienced by those who work with them. Experience in similar circumstances is, in my view, essential. It’s a complex puzzle, but when all the pieces fit, the impact can be enormous. While coaching and counselling are important parts of the solution, we will take a broader perspective. Ultimately, it’s about people, growth and realising ambitions. More on that soon.”

___________________________________________________This new initiative from Odgers and Mathijs van Meer will be revealed in greater detail in the coming months. Organisations and individuals interested in an exploratory conversation can contact Mathijs at mathijs.vanmeer@odgers.com.