Articles - GORTcoaching.com

01/13/2026

The “Blijf” or “Vertrek” Dilemma: Navigating the 5-Year Itch

It usually happens around the five, year mark. The initial “honeymoon phase” of moving to the Netherlands is long gone. You’ve mastered the bike lanes, survived five rainy winters, and finally stopped converting every Euro price back into your home currency. But suddenly, you hit a crossroads. In the expat community, we call it the 5-Year Itch. This is […]

01/12/2026

“Polderen” in a Digital World: Remote Leadership for Expats

In the traditional Dutch office, decisions weren’t made in the boardroom; they were made at the coffee machine. This is the heart of polderen, the informal, consensus, driven process of getting everyone on board before a final “yes” is ever uttered. But it’s 2026, and the rules have changed. Hybrid work is the “Dutch Standard,” and your […]

01/09/2026

The “Sandwich Generation” expat: managing care across borders

You are a high-performing professional in the Netherlands. You’ve mastered the Dutch “polder” meetings, you’ve built a solid career in the Randstad, and you’ve finally settled into a rhythm. But lately, your phone vibrating at 3:00 AM doesn’t mean a work emergency, it’s a message from home. Perhaps it’s a parent’s declining health, a sudden hospital visit, or the slow realization […]

11/18/2025

The narcissist in your orbit: moving from powerless to empowered

It starts subtly. A conversation that leaves you feeling strangely drained. A compliment that lands like a criticism. The lingering sense that no matter what you do, the goalposts have shifted. Whether it’s a demanding manager, a charismatic but manipulative partner, or a family member who sucks the air out […]

11/03/2025

The number 1 relationship cheat code? Mastering your world with Leary’s Rose

Let’s be honest. Do “difficult” people really exist? Or are we just stuck in a pattern, pushing a button on someone that gives us a response we don’t like? We’ve all been there. The colleague who shoots down every idea. The manager who micromanages. The client who just won’t cooperate. […]

10/27/2025

The 4 hidden signs of expat burnout (it’s not just ‘tired’)

When you think of burnout, you think of being tired. But Expat Burnout is more complex. It often disguises itself as changes in your personality. You may not feel exhausted; you may just feel… angry. Or cynical. Or completely numb. This is your system signaling overload. Recovering from burnout isn’t […]

10/27/2025

The expat leader’s dilemma: How to master dutch directness

Here is the trap. Your Dutch manager tells you, “Your feedback is too vague. You need to be more direct.” So, in your next performance review, you are clear and direct with your team member. The result? They complain to HR that you were “too aggressive” and “unprofessional.” This is […]

10/27/2025

Your skills got you here. Your network will get you further.

You did everything right. You have the qualifications, the international experience, and the drive. You updated your LinkedIn, polished your CV, and started applying for jobs in the Netherlands. And yet… nothing. You feel like you’re shouting into a void, locked out of a job market that seems to operate […]

10/27/2025

Your ambition is not the problem. Your translation is.

Are you ambitious? Do you want to lead, grow, and make an impact? In many cultures, this is a clear advantage. But in the Netherlands, you might feel that your ambition is… a problem. In a culture that deeply values polderen (consensus) and work-life balance, overt, individualistic ambition can be […]

10/27/2025

Why your leadership style isn’t working in the Netherlands (and how to fix it)

In your home country, you were a successful leader. You were decisive, inspiring, and you got results. You arrived in the Netherlands expecting to do the same. But now, you’re struggling. When you give a clear directive, your team treats it as a “suggestion.” You make a quick, efficient decision, […]