Hans Lagerweij

Hans Lagerweij is a global business leader, strategist, and author with decades of experience transforming companies across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

Play episode

Hosted by

Hilmarie Hutchison

About this Episode

→ Read the executive analysis inspired by this conversation

In this episode, Hilmarie sits down with Hans Lagerweij to explore leadership, strategy, and what it takes to align teams in a fast-changing world. Hans shares how his early career shaped his understanding of people and business, leading him from consumer goods into global travel and expedition leadership. A defining moment during a storm in Antarctica revealed that leadership cannot be controlled from a distance, it must be built on trust and clarity.

He explains why traditional top-down leadership fails and how real execution comes from shared ownership, not forced buy-in. Hans introduces his practical “6 Cs” framework, including clear communication, collaboration, and celebrating small wins, turning strategy into a daily habit rather than a one-time plan.

At its core, this episode is about redefining leadership. Hans highlights the importance of honesty during uncertainty and the power of involving teams in decision-making. His key message is simple: great leaders don’t have all the answers, they create environments where teams can succeed together.

Hans Lagerweij

Business Leader | Strategist | Author of The Why Whisperer

Hans Lagerweij is a global business leader, strategist, and author with decades of experience transforming companies across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. From early beginnings in fast-moving consumer goods to leading polar expedition cruise companies, his career has taken him from boardrooms to some of the most extreme environments on earth—including the North Pole and Antarctica.

Originally from the Netherlands, Hans built his foundation in brand management and sales before transitioning into the travel industry with major organizations like TUI Travel and Quark Expeditions. Today, he leads Flying Dutchman Consultancy, helping organizations align strategy with execution. Through his work and his book The Why Whisperer, he focuses on shifting leadership from top-down control to shared ownership, enabling teams to deliver strategy effectively in complex, real-world environments.

“Don’t lie, don’t fake, don’t create fake uncertainty, be honest, be vulnerable. That’s really not bad as a leader. Again, invite your team in to build that future.”

Hans Lagerweij

“The critical thing is to use the knowledge and the experience of your team to answer questions. You don’t have to have an answer to every question. ”
Hans Lagerweij