Joske Kuut

Topics

1. 1. Own fault, tough luck: On judgments, assumptions, and the story you don't see

   How quickly do you think you can figure someone out?

   In her keynote “Eigen schuld, dikke bult,” Joske shares a personal story about her brother, who was murdered in 2009, the judgments that followed, and her quest to understand the story behind his behavior. A journey that ultimately leads to South Korea. This keynote conveys what happens when we draw conclusions while only knowing a small part of someone’s story. And exactly that happens every day in the workplace.

   We label someone as unmotivated, difficult, dominant, uninterested, or unsuitable. But have we checked? Or have we quickly crafted a story that makes sense to us? With humor, interaction, and personal stories, Joske demonstrates how strongly our assumptions influence our behavior.

   After this keynote, people view behavior differently. They ask questions more quickly, are less likely to make assumptions about others, and become more aware of their own judgments. A personal keynote that touches, challenges, makes you laugh, and remains a topic of conversation for a long time.

2. 2. The 7 Keys to Judgment-Free Leadership

   For managers who want to fill in less and have better conversations. An employee says little during the meeting. Are they unmotivated? A colleague responds curtly. Is there resistance? An employee makes the same mistake again. Are they simply not capable? As a manager, you draw conclusions all day long. Understandable. But those conclusions aren’t always accurate.

   In “The 7 Keys to Judgment-Free Leadership,” Joske shows how judgments and assumptions affect leadership, feedback, trust, and psychological safety. Using seven practical keys, managers learn to be less quick to fill in behavior, listen better, give more honest feedback, speak up, and stay curious about what’s really going on. No complex leadership models that no one uses by Monday. Just relatable situations, humor, and concrete tools that are directly applicable.

   The result? Less noise, better conversations, employees who speak up sooner, and managers who don’t go into action mode on every assumption.

3. 3. Psychological safety starts with less interpreting

   Why People Stay Silent When They Fear Judgment from Others “Here, everyone can say anything.” But is that really true? Does an employee dare to say they don’t understand something? To admit a mistake? To offer a different opinion? To give feedback to their manager? Or do they first think: What will they think of me?

   Psychological safety isn’t just about what can officially be said. It’s also about what people actually dare to say. Joske shows the role judgments and assumptions play in this. Because if people are afraid of being seen as difficult, dumb, weak, or negative, they’re more likely to stay silent. And when we also start assuming why someone is silent, the cycle is complete.

   In this lecture, Joske makes psychological safety practical and relatable. No complicated theories, just everyday behavior. Participants discover how quickly they make assumptions, the impact it has on others, and what they can do differently tomorrow to create more space for questions, mistakes, feedback, and diverse opinions.

4. 4. Gossiping, whispering, and noise

   Why We Find It Easy to Talk About Each Other and Hard to Talk to Each Other

   “Have you also noticed that she lately…” Here we go. Gossip sometimes seems harmless, but unchecked assumptions can take on a life of their own within a team. Someone does something. A colleague assigns it meaning. They tell someone else. That person adds something more. And before you know it, we’ve built a truth that no one has ever questioned.

   In this interactive lecture, Joske shows how judgments, assumptions, and unspoken irritations lead to discord in teams. Why do we prefer to talk about someone rather than with someone? Why do we postpone a difficult conversation? And how do you prevent small irritations from growing into islands, chaos, and an unsafe atmosphere?

   With plenty of relatable moments and humor, Joske teaches teams to check assumptions earlier, express themselves, and remain curious about each other. Less hassle. Less Busy Betty by the coffee machine. More real conversations.

5. 5. Inclusion starts with your first judgment

   Diversity and Inclusion Without the Hassle

   Inclusion isn’t just about who has a seat at the table. It’s also about what we think of the person sitting across from us. Too young. Too old. Too quiet. Too loud. Too direct. Not professional enough. Probably not ambitious. Typical Generation Z. We quickly put people into boxes.

   In this lecture, Joske makes diversity and inclusion small, practical, and human. She shows how our first impressions, past experiences, and assumptions determine how we listen to others, what opportunities we give someone, and how much space someone has to be themselves. No heavy discussion about everything you’re doing wrong. Just a mirror. Because more inclusive behavior sometimes starts with something surprisingly simple: Not assuming you already know.

   Participants become aware of their own assumptions and are given practical tools to be more curious, to ask more questions, and to be less quick to judge differences.

Videos

References

• It was inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking.

  Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.

  Referentie van: Thomas Wilms
  ROCvA

• Wise lessons that help you become a better human being.

  Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.

  Referentie van: Roelien de Jonge