When competence is no longer enough | #episode 10 — Season 2

<p>On September 7th I turned 59.</p><p>And perhaps there is no better moment to talk about becoming a beginner again.</p><p>Since moving from the Netherlands to Portugal, I have discovered something unexpected about competence: much of what we experience as confidence and capability is supported by a context we have learned to navigate almost effortlessly.</p><p>Change the context — a new country, a new language, a new organisation or a different boardroom — and suddenly experience alone may no longer provide the answer.</p><p><strong>I didn’t lose my competence when I moved to Portugal. I lost the environment in which my competence had become effortless.</strong></p><p>In this special birthday edition of <em>Brain in Motion</em>, I explore what that experience has taught me about leadership, authority and judgement when certainty disappears.</p><p>How do we lead when the old map no longer fits the territory? Can we remain authoritative while admitting that we don’t fully understand the context yet? And what happens when experience needs to make room for curiosity again?</p><p>At 59, I find myself experienced in many ways — and a beginner in others.</p><p>And perhaps that is not a contradiction at all.</p><p><strong>Perhaps one of the quiet disciplines of mature leadership is the ability to become a beginner again — without becoming smaller.</strong></p><p>🎧 <em>When Competence Is No Longer Enough</em>
A special birthday edition of <strong>Brain in Motion</strong>, with Sadhna Meijer-Gopalrai.</p><p><br></p>