One of the cornerstones of the new strategy of this international operating engineering firm was the introduction of more empowerment and accountability with its proposal and project managers. Less redtape, more speed in decision making processes, better risk control and more efficiency. Loek Meijers led a multifunctional team that established a complete new way of working globally, supported by innovative IT tooling and adopted by the firm’s management.

Q: Royal HaskoningDHV hired Loek Meijers for two important projects. Why did you choose Loek?

A: To start with, of course, for his professionalism, experience, and knowledge. Not only on financial topics but also for IT projects. In our case, one of the specific projects required expertise in both disciplines. He has an independent way of working, which I appreciate very much. Sometimes you’ve got to invest a lot of time before people are able to start with a project. To bring them up to speed. Loek is different. He is a do-er. He finds his way and before you know it, he’s on the move. Our project had already commenced but we didn’t manage to get any traction. When Loek joined us, he got things moving.

But a large part of the decision to work with him is because he has some great basic personality traits.

Q: such as?

A: Being a good listener, is one of them. He knows how to create team spirit, encourages people to let them be the best version of themselves. He really takes care of them. Always willing to have frank discussions. Never avoiding the difficult or unpleasant ones. He is very perceptive when it comes to people and moods, he knows what’s going on in the organization. 

Another one is his talent to be a leader on the one hand, keeping the team on track and making the necessary decisions, while at the same time, being part of the team. Not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. I mean, he walks the talk. I saw him testing IT applications, because it was the job that had to be done at that moment.

In this specific case the working group was set up with various specialist backgrounds, marketing specialists, people from IT, Finance etc. This multidisciplinary team had joint objectives. Not everybody knows how to deal with headstrong and confident teams like these, but Loek managed to get them all working towards the same goal.

And finally, his way of working is transparent. He builds trust.

Q: Loek in three words?

A: Result. Trust. Humour.
Of course, there must be laughter. And Loek has an enormous infectious laugh. You’ll hear that throughout the building.

Jasper de Wit - CFO Royal HaskoningDHV

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