Dr. Tonnie van der Zouwen MCM
(Master of Change Mangement)
Biography
Born in the Netherlands, in Utrecht (my much-beloved hometown) in 1956, I was the youngest of five children in a middle-class family of Protestant persuasion. As a child, I was fascinated by the differences among plants and animals. I enjoyed tinkering and experimenting. 1973, I began studying biology, first at the University of Utrecht and later at the University of Leiden. Bachelor’s in ecology and Master’s in ecology, environmental science, and teaching qualification. Developed an eye for detail, as studying biology is one great exercise in observation.
Graduated in 1980 and then dedicated myself to administering learning processes and developing curricula in various educational institutions (taught biology in LBO (Dutch lower vocational school) and MAVO (Dutch lower general secondary school)). Over time, learned a great deal about dealing with people and careful organisation and direction of lessons. Between 1985 and 1988, became the proud mother of three children.
I actually wanted to be a researcher. But in 1980, the environment was not in vogue, and almost no one would pay you to do ecological research. The atmosphere of fellowship captivated me the most at the school where I taught. Practical people with a passion for their work. 1981, I also held a temporary six-month position as a scientific researcher at Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Commission). As a field biologist, wading with boots through the mud along the streams of South Limburg Province to study the impact of fertilization (yes, even back then) on species of rare riverbank vegetation higher up on the slopes.
After ten years of education, I was beginning to get a feel for teaching, but I wanted more. In 1990, I became a consultant at DvL, a regional firm of consulting engineers. I advised municipal authorities on environmental matters, such as granting permits and law enforcement. After that, I was a consultant at the world’s largest inspection firm, SGS. From 1995 to 2002, I worked at VB/ Deloitte & Touche. I started off as an environmental expert and, via an environmental and quality management auditor, developed into an organisational consultant for processes.
Projects I helped start as an organisational consultant were enacted at governmental environment ministries. I introduced quality management and researched the development and maintenance of environmental legislation. At that time, I also conducted research into the practical experiences of SMEs with environmental laws.
This resulted in the first major rift in my scientific approach and attitude. Although I already had some doubts (how often were hypotheses adjusted post hoc to make them fit observations?). How do elegantly devised, solidly constructed rules or management systems often work so poorly in practice? After requesting the brochure three years in a row, this prompted my decision to begin the Master’s program in Change Management at Sioo.
In late November of 2002, I took the plunge: I quit my job to be my own boss. Since January 2003, I have worked as a self-employed consultant under the moniker Van der Zouwen Organisatieadvies. Along with five change management specialists, colleagues from the program started a joint venture: the Changeprofessionals. I assist organisations and networks of professionals in change processes to optimise the use of available capacities. I do this as a consultant, facilitator, coach, trainer, or researcher. Common goals are to create new connections by bringing together people and ideas, using participatory change methodologies, and promoting familiarity with these methods. The latter is achieved via practical training such as Large Scale Intervention facilitator training, workshops and conferences, and the creation of informative websites and other publications. See also www.learninghistories.net and www.largescaleinterventions.com
Finding a balance between my immediate family, work, relatives, friends, and hobbies is a challenge. Charles Handy’s experiences in his book “The Elephant and the Flea” resonate with me. I enjoy being that self-willed, creative freelancer who strives to develop things that make a difference: writing, contributing something, helping to develop capacities, and creating something new by bringing different disciplines together (such as ecology, didactics, systems thinking, and learning processes in organisations).
In January 2008, I became affiliated with Tilburg University as an external PhD student of Professor Dr. Jac Geurts. My doctoral research concerns the question, “When and how are Large Scale Interventions effective for organisational change? When is it worth the effort?”. The research focuses on sustainable change, which I see as developing communicative self-steering and change capacities. In March 2011, I graduated with a PhD on the thesis “Building an evidence-based guide to Large Scale Interventions. Towards sustainable change with the whole system
Walking on the two legs of scientific knowledge and practical experience is increasingly becoming “my thing. On August 1, 2014, I became a Sustainable Working & Organizing professor at Avans University of Applied Sciences. My main tasks were initiating and conducting practice-oriented research with a research group. A nice new challenge, for three days a week. On July 1, 2022, I bid farewell to a workshop called Monkey Cages with Cocreation and, with my knowledge circle members, wrote 10 articles in a volume, ‘Apenkooien met cocreatie’ of the same name. In it, we share insights and examples on cocreation from eight years of lectureship.
In October 2018, my book ‘Doing Action Research. A Roadmap for Students and Professionals’ was published in Dutch, and the second edition followed in April 2022. More and more, I am combining new knowledge from in-depth research with actions for sustainable development. In recent years, my role has increasingly shifted to trainer, supervisor or coach for others engaged in co-creation. Transferring knowledge and experience, especially practical methods, in books and articles is becoming more important. I hope to continue doing that into old age. A lifetime of learning and never retiring. In October 2024, my book ‘Co-creation in Work Meetings. Making the Invisible Visible‘ was born.
I became a podcaster in October 2024. This is a new, exciting journey where I invite wise guests to share their experiences on what works to Creating a level playing field for collaboration. To be continued ….