How we work

From Inner Work To Outer Change. We believe the future belongs to leaders who dare to look inward and lead outward.

At The Unfold Academy, we see leadership as a human practice. Grounded in awareness. Built on courage. Directed toward meaningful, systemic impact. Our work is grounded in a simple idea: Inner growth fuels outer change.

Approach

Our Impact Leadership Framework

We guide leaders, teams and cultures through a journey across four connected domains:

Foundation: The Self

This is where it all begins: developing self-awareness, acting from your values, and showing up with integrity, courage and a strong sense of purpose.

Capabilities: Skills

Here we cultivate the skills and mindsets needed to lead in a rapidly changing world with curiosity, creativity, complexity awareness and the confidence to take ownership.

Connection: Relationships

Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. This domain is about building trust and psychological safety, fostering deep listening and engaging in courageous conversations that allow relationships to thrive.

Contribution: Creating meaningful impact

Inner growth ultimately seeks outward expression through storytelling, vision, regenerative learning, system awareness and navigating resistance, this part of the journey focuses on creating meaningful impact.

In each domain, we work with essential themes and guiding questions, always shaped around the real challenges our clients face.

Reflect, adapt
and start over

Our framework is not a checklist, it’s a cycle. Growth is not linear. It requires space to reflect, adapt and start over.

Our programs are designed with this rhythm in mind: reflection, integration and re-entry. Because leadership doesn’t just happen in the room, it happens in the real world, in real relationships, under real pressure.

Backed by theory & inspired by wisdom.

Our work draws on a blend of proven frameworks and transformative practices.

We incorporate the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), Theory U, Lencioni, Management Drives and the Systems Thinking of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

Alongside these, we integrate practices like breathwork, embodiment, systemic constellations, regenerative leadership, ancient wisdom and nature-based learning to create deep, lasting change.

How this comes
to life.

Every journey we design is tailored to people, context and intention, and grounded in our Impact Leadership Framework. We begin by understanding where each organisation is and what is most needed now, then shape the work accordingly.

Sessions are typically held off-site, creating the space required for clear thinking, honest reflection, and focused leadership work.

Journeys may unfold over several months or shorter time frames, with regular reconnection to sustain momentum. Integration and real-world anchoring are always part of the work, because insight without integration does not lead to change.

What makes
us us

We work for impact

We help impact investors and fast-growing ventures make better leadership decisions under pressure. By strengthening leadership and team capacity, we protect execution, alignment, and impact as complexity and stakes rise.

We start within.

Our belief is simple: inner clarity drives outer change. We help people lead from who they are, not just what they know. We do this through our Future Leadership Framework: a process that builds courage, deepens consciousness and aligns action with values.

We don’t do quick fixes.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our journeys are reflective, experiential and shaped around the real questions people and organisations face. We act quickly, but always with depth, adapting to what each person and system truly needs.

We bridge the gap.

We integrate two worlds: old and new leadership, science and wisdom, head and heart, profit and purpose. We understand business realities and we meet the growing need for human connection.

We work across levels.

From emerging talents to senior leaders, we design for impact across the whole system. That’s how we build alignment, integrity and lasting change.

We walk the talk.

We’re not your typical trainers; we’re facilitators, practitioners and fellow travelers. We don’t just teach this work, we live it. Our practice is shaped by real experience in regenerative leadership, business, systems thinking and psychology.

We are a community of experts.

We partner with certified, experienced facilitators and coaches who’ve done the inner work and bring both presence and depth to their practice. Their guidance is grounded in proven frameworks, real experience, and (measurable) impact.

Great leadership drives engagement, culture, and business performance.

Managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement

25 %

Companies that invest in leadership development see stronger retention and trust

Source: Gallup | DDI World

What our clients say

After having been through a range of leadership development programmes in corporate environments, I can say that working with The Unfold Academy is truly different. Barbara and Michiel seek to establish rapid emotional connection by opening up themselves, which helps to build trust and facilitates to start working on inner change as and when you meet them. In our two-day programme their relaxed stance and result driven approach helped me to translate my personal insights into what I can do to make the team benefit of it. I would highly recommend working with them for anyone that is looking to build a high performing and agile team based on mutual trust.

Jelmer Altena, CCO at SeaO2

The MT session with our board, followed by the full-day session with the entire team, has meant a great deal to us. Michiel and Barbara create a genuinely safe space in which people feel able to speak openly, and they bring a rare clarity to situations that are often complex. Their ability to guide a group into deeper conversation and reflection was remarkable. Thoughtful questions, perceptive observations, and a strong sense of timing opened the door to honest and meaningful dialogue. We can see the effects in our daily work: more clarity, ownership and mutual trust. This collaboration marks an important step in our development as an organisation and I look forward to strengthening this relationship in the years ahead.

Ruben Brands, CEO at SeaO2

“The two-day program with The Unfold Academy was truly something special. In a refreshing and down-to-earth way, Michiel and Barbara bring real depth and reflection to their work. They have an amazing ability to sense what both the group and each individual need, and they quickly and gently get to the heart of things. What touched me most was simply the way they show up: genuine, human, and present, without ever stepping into the spotlight themselves. Their personal approach creates a space that feels both safe and meaningful for everyone, without losing any sharpness or honesty. I was, and still am, deeply impressed by what we were able to achieve together in just two days. The team now shares a clear foundation and with that, a strong and hopeful outlook for the future.”

Jasper ten Hove, CTO Post NL

“Barbara’s coaching and facilitation were both very pleasant and highly effective. In a relaxed atmosphere, she quickly identifies the core issues and offers sharp insights into your own leadership as well as the context you’re working in. When relevant, she supports this with practical models, giving you concrete tools you can apply right away. For me, just a few sessions provided the push I needed to move forward on my own again. Many thanks and definitely highly recommended.”

Caren Bouwmeester - VP HR Albert Heijn

“I worked with Barbara on a leadership program for female investors. She has an incredible ability to sense the needs and backgrounds of participants and tailor the content accordingly.

Barbara is a wonderful partner to collaborate with — open, constructive, and always bringing valuable input. During the workshop, she quickly built trust through her approachable style and effective methods, which encouraged participants to open up right away.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive: participants shared that the session gave them both fresh insights and practical tools to support their ongoing development.”

Erica van Eeghen, VC Impact Investor at VP Capital.

“From the very first conversation with Barbara, I felt truly heard and seen. She has a natural ability to create a safe space and brings remarkable clarity, both in one-on-one settings and in group sessions. Barbara helped me to create more calm and space in my daily life, and to check in more often with myself and the people around me.”

Sophie Heijenberg, VC Investor at No Such Ventures.

“The two-day program with The Unfold Academy was truly something special. From the very beginning, they managed to bring depth in a refreshing and down-to-earth way. Michiel and Barbara had an intuitive sense of what both the group and each individual needed, and time and again they managed to get to the heart of things. What touched me most was the way they simply are: sincere and human, without any need to take center stage. Their personal approach created a sense of safety and meaning. I’m deeply grateful for what we’ve achieved so far, and I look forward to continuing to grow together and explore new opportunities.”

Nina Ghanbare, Head of People IT Post NL

“From the very first meeting with Barbara, there was an instant personal connection. What struck us immediately was her unwavering focus on people, placing them truly at the heart of the organisation, which deeply resonates with our own values. Barbara has a keen eye for personalities: she intuitively understands how individuals are wired, how they interact, and how these dynamics manifest within a team or company culture. Her insights brought a remarkable level of clarity and openness, empowering each team member to operate more effectively in their strengths. She addresses challenges in a professional and respectful way, creating space for honest dialogue. This approach has enabled us to grow, not just as individuals, but as a stronger, more cohesive organisation.”

Cris Oosterveld, Founder & Managing Director Big Wave Company

“I recently took part in a leadership session with The Unfold Academy, and it turned out to be a truly valuable experience. Their professional approach, combined with a remarkably sharp eye, allows them to get to the heart of a challenge with impressive speed. They ask the right questions, make meaningful connections, and know exactly what is needed to create momentum. At the same time, they foster a safe and open environment where you feel at ease and are encouraged to take real steps forward. The day was content-rich, practical, and genuinely inspiring. Highly recommended for anyone seeking depth and tangible results.”

Guust van Susante - Big Wave Company