In an age of endless distraction, urgent notifications, and external expectations what does it actually mean to lead well?
That’s the question Andy Hosgood explores with this week’s guest on Unlocking Human Potential, Jeroen Peters, whose work bridges the worlds of high performance, culture, and storytelling.
Their conversation is a quiet rebellion against shallow leadership.
It’s a call to slow down.
To get honest.
To stop performing and start becoming.
The Illusion of Performance
Jeroen describes a world where too many leaders are stuck in performance mode:
- Saying the right things
- Hitting the right targets
- Maintaining the image of success
But underneath that, something is off.
There’s a disconnection from self.
From meaning.
From the team.
From the very why behind the work.
And the cost isn’t just burnout it’s misalignment.
Leadership Isn’t About You But It Starts With You
Jeroen challenges the ego-driven model of leadership. Not by shaming it but by offering something more powerful:
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about being present enough to ask better questions.
The best leaders he’s worked with?
They listen deeply.
They reflect honestly.
They build trust slowly.
And they never stop becoming — because they know they are their own biggest instrument.
From Complexity to Clarity
One standout theme is the idea that clarity is a leadership superpower.
But here’s the truth: clarity doesn’t mean certainty.
It means congruence.
It means slowing down long enough to ask:
- “What really matters here?”
- “What is the purpose behind this project, this moment, this decision?”
- “Are my actions aligned with my values?”
Jeroen and Andy unpack how clarity cuts through the noise and why the cost of not having it is confusion, wasted energy, and fractured teams.
What Culture Really Is (Hint: It’s Not the Posters)
Culture isn’t built in meetings.
It’s built:
- In the way people speak when no one’s watching
- In the safety someone feels to say “I don’t know”
- In the small acts of trust, honesty and follow-through
Jeroen paints a picture of culture as something deeply human and reminds us that leaders are culture carriers, whether they realise it or not.
You don’t “install” culture.
You live it. You breathe it. You become it.
Courageous Leadership Means Letting Go
Another powerful insight?
Real leadership requires letting go of control.
Control feels safe. But it’s often rooted in fear.
And fear creates distance between people.
Jeroen invites us to consider a different stance:
- Lead with clarity, not control
- Invite contribution instead of compliance
- See people, not just performance
Because when people feel seen, trusted, and valued — they rise.
Practical Questions for the Leader in You
If you’re reading this, you probably are a leader even if your title doesn’t say so.
So, here are some questions inspired by the conversation:
- What part of me am I bringing into the room today?
- Where am I performing instead of connecting?
- Am I building safety — or silently demanding compliance?
- Who am I becoming through my leadership?
These are not soft questions.
These are the questions that shape legacies.
Final Thought
In a world obsessed with productivity, this episode is a quiet rebellion.
It’s a reminder that:
- Leadership is human
- Clarity is power
- Presence is influence
- And becoming is more powerful than performing
If you want to lead with more honesty, depth and impact — this is the conversation to begin with.
🎧 Listen now to Unlocking Human Potential with Jeroen Peters.
And remember:
Leadership isn’t a mask you wear.
It’s a mirror you hold.
About JP
Jeroen Peters or JP a high-performance leader with nearly two decades in elite sport, including stints with top clubs like Ajax and Club Brugge.
He knows the grind of elite culture and the cost that comes with it.
But JP will be the first to tell you: “Smooth sailing isn’t where the good stories come from.” He’s failed forward, learned hard lessons, and now helps others do the same getting 1% better every day.
His obsession? The human side of performance. Culture over chaos. Trust over tactics. He champions conscious leadership encouraging us to pause, reflect, and lead ourselves first.
Jeroen believes real growth comes from genuine connection and the right environment. As he puts it: “Get the environment right, and people don’t just perform they enjoy the journey.”
He’s seen the dark side of 24/7 performance culture and now builds systems where people and purpose come first. These days, he coaches, speaks, mentors, and most of all asks better questions.
He’s relentlessly curious, a bridge-builder between worlds, and loves being around people who are pushing boundaries just like this podcast.
Get ready for a high-energy, human conversation on leadership, trust, and unlocking that extra 1% with the brilliant Jeroen Peters.