The right leader in the right place
For servant and purpose-driven leadership
Especially for demanding professions
The initiators of Selectief are Peter Herfst (Director of Herfst & Partners) and Heilwine Bakker (Director of Balans & Impuls). They specialize in services for demanding professions. Since 2002, Peter Herfst has been dedicated to the selection and coaching of pilots, as well as executives and boards. Since 1997, Heilwine Bakker has focused on the mental fitness and resilience of rescue workers, demanding professions, and their leaders. Both have extensive experience in leading teams.
Balans & Impuls Selectief is part of Balans & Impuls, a nationally operating psychological consulting and training agency established in 1997. Balans & Impuls specializes in thorough diagnostics and support for personal (performance-related) issues. The diagnostics provide insight into a person's instruction manual and capabilities. It offers a clear view of how someone interacts with themselves and their environment. When selecting personnel or considering career orientation, it is equally important to take the personal instruction manual into account. This approach provides a transparent and thorough understanding of the best-fitting work context and potential risk areas. Balans & Impuls Selectief uses its expertise to provide clear advice on leadership qualities, development, and personal potential.
Thanks to the many assessments Herfst & Partners has conducted for a wide range of organizations, we have gained a clear understanding of what is expected of executives and leaders now and in the future. Naturally, the type of organization plays an important role in this:
All these aspects help shape the content of the assessment program and are included in our analysis of candidates. To ensure maximum customization, we design management cases that align with the specific context and content of the organization and the role in question. In addition, we conduct an in-depth interview that is both biographical and competency-based. The insights gained during the interview, combined with the results of the personality test, provide a comprehensive picture of the candidate. This makes it clear which traits are character-based (deep-rooted patterns) and which have been developed over time. It also shows how developable certain characteristics are.
Below are some examples of situations where Selectief can be applied:
What sets our approach apart is that we look beyond competencies and self-presentation. Through our diagnostic and interview method, we gain insight into the personality structure — the 'inner workings' of a person. This allows us to look behind the scenes, so to speak. We go beyond the surface and map out the multiple layers of personality.
For example: A candidate participating in an assessment for a leadership position may adopt an appropriate attitude during simulations and questionnaires. Traits such as extraversion, persuasiveness, and strong self-presentation may be observed. Based on these external behaviors and competencies, the person may appear highly suitable for the role.
However, when we examine the person’s behavioral patterns and inner mechanisms, a different picture may emerge. In this case, we might find that their behavior and self-image do not align with their natural disposition, which may in fact indicate introversion and compliance. The greater the gap between self-presentation and inner disposition, the more the person is (often unconsciously) forcing themselves into a certain role. This can work for a while, but it brings a high risk of burnout or underperformance in the long run.
People function best when they work from their inner strengths and natural disposition. Yet, it can be difficult — for both the individual and their environment — to recognize deeper personality traits. Balans & Impuls Selectief not only advises on the most suitable role, work context, and potential risk areas. We also provide something akin to a personal user manual. This includes recommendations for the individual’s self-leadership as well as guidance for effective leadership by their manager.
The strength of our method and approach can be summarized as follows:
Depending on the complexity of the issue, several formats are available:
A concise version:
A more comprehensive version:
Depending on the specific request, the format, content, and pricing will be tailored accordingly. For a cost indication, you can request our pricing overview.
Within five working days after registration, the candidate is invited to participate in the assessment. The concise version takes a little over half a day, while the comprehensive version takes a full day. Within a week after completion of the assessment, the client will receive the advisory report, provided the candidate has given consent. The optional roundtable advisory meeting takes place within one and a half weeks.
The result is the right person in the right place. The critical and thorough nature of our approach ensures that personal talents and qualities can grow in the most suitable environment. Our advisory report serves as a clear and practical user manual. The individual, their manager, and the organization will benefit from this in the long term.
An assessment by Balans & Impuls Selectief can be combined with a series of individual coaching sessions. These sessions are guided by the personal user manual that emerges from the assessment. In a practical and goal-oriented manner, the focus is on developing and strengthening self-leadership skills. Topics may include effective communication, leadership, boosting self-confidence, and making informed choices. These themes are always linked to concrete leadership goals in daily practice.
Examples of themes addressed in leadership coaching include:
For more information, feel free to contact us at +31 (0)70 392 2261 or visit www.balans-en-impuls.com. Balans & Impuls Selectief operates in accordance with the guidelines of the NIP (Netherlands Institute of Psychologists).
