Ben Tiggelaar
Bestseller author. International speaker and Behavioral scientist. He provides insight and inspiration in the field of Leadership and Change: from understanding to action. Dr. Ben Tiggelaar is one of the Netherlands' most gifted speakers.
Biography
Who is Dr. Ben Tiggelaar?
Dr. Ben Tiggelaar has been studying leadership, change, and human behavior for over 35 years.
He has written 9 number-one management books, including Dromen, durven, doen and De Ladder.
His weekly NRC column is followed by countless managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
He teaches at top universities and has delivered workshops in more than 1,600 organizations worldwide.
And his seminar MBA in één dag (“MBA in One Day”) has been attended by more than 25,000 managers.
Biography Dr. Ben Tiggelaar
Dr. Ben Tiggelaar is an independent author, behavioral scientist, and a highly sought-after speaker.
He has been studying leadership and change for over 35 years, with a clear mission: to help individuals and organizations turn their dreams into action—in a positive and effective way.
At the core of his work is translating behavioral science insights into practical applications in leadership and change.
Ben Tiggelaar has written more than 15 books, 9 of which reached number one in the management top 100. Some of his bestsellers include Dromen Durven Doen, Dit wordt jouw jaar!, MBA in één dag, and Mooi Werk. His books have been translated worldwide.
He studied Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam and earned a PhD in Business Administration and Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, focusing on behavioral change in organizations.
He also studied at Harvard University and at University College London at the renowned Centre for Behaviour Change.
Ben Tiggelaar has interviewed many world-famous thinkers and leaders live on stage, including Barack Obama, Stephen Covey, Amy Edmondson, Simon Sinek, Daniel Kahneman, John Kotter, Ken Blanchard, and Philip Kotler.
He is the Netherlands’ best-known columnist in the field of work and management. His weekly NRC column is read by many managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. On LinkedIn, more than 230,000 people follow his writing.
He has given guest lectures at institutions such as Harvard University, IE Madrid, Nyenrode Business University, Rotterdam School of Management, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Vlerick Business School.
He is also known for his annual seminar MBA in One Day, which has attracted more than 25,000 managers in the Netherlands alone.
In addition to open seminars, Ben Tiggelaar delivers in-company lectures and masterclasses. He has done so in more than 1,600 organizations worldwide, working with groups ranging from 50 to 3,000 people—in boardrooms, cafeterias, theaters, and even prisons. His sessions are both highly educational and highly engaging.
QUOTES
What world-renowned colleagues say about Dr. Ben Tiggelaar
“Ben Tiggelaar is genuinely committed to helping us become better leaders, improve our lives, and make a real contribution. His unique talent is his ability to translate solid scientific research into inspiring, practical advice.”
- Stephen R. Covey
(Author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
“Ben Tiggelaar doesn’t just inspire you to dream, dare, and do. He also teaches you the skills and techniques to actually follow through on your intentions.”
- Ken Blanchard
(Author of The One Minute Manager)
“Ben Tiggelaar was an excellent moderator. He was extremely well prepared, asked exactly the right questions, and brought the conversation to a higher level.”
- Henry Mintzberg
(Author of Managers Not MBAs)
“Ben Tiggelaar is an inspiring trainer in the field of human behavior and change. You will find his books and ideas extremely practical, very realistic, and a pleasure to read.”
- Marshall Goldsmith
(Author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There)
What the media say about Dr. Ben Tiggelaar?
“Everyone is on the edge of their seat.”
- De Telegraaf
“You wish that even a tenth of university lecturers had a fraction of Tiggelaar’s talent for delivering content.”
- Het Financieele Dagblad
“Ben Tiggelaar delivers his message in such a way that you immediately think: damn, I’m going to get started—I’m going to do things differently!”
- Psychologie Magazine
“Ben Tiggelaar is one of the Netherlands’ most gifted speakers—someone who easily and directly connects with people.”
- MT/Sprout
“Dr. Ben Tiggelaar is an unusual mix of American showmanship, Dutch straightforwardness, and scientific depth—expressed in a way that everyone understands.”
- Intermediair
“Ben Tiggelaar combines vision and insight with an extremely down-to-earth perspective on leadership and change.”
- SalesManagement
“Ben Tiggelaar is an inspiring whirlwind.”
- High Profile Events Magazine
“America has Dr. Phil, the Netherlands has Dr. Ben.”
- Libelle
Employability
Speaker
Book Dr. Ben Tiggelaar for your next event as a speaker or moderator via Assemblee Speakers
Leadership and change: from understanding to doing
Scientific foundation, direct application.
Dr. Ben Tiggelaar has been studying for over 35 years how people within organizations truly get into motion. His focus is on the gap between what we know and what we actually do.
After a session with Dr. Ben Tiggelaar:
- Participants understand the psychology behind their own behavior and that of others.
- It becomes clear why change so often stalls in practice.
- Participants gain concrete tools to effectively influence behavior.
Participants leave with:
- Insights from behavioral science, stripped of jargon.
- Techniques that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
- Concrete steps for their own practice.
Interaction and energy
A session with Ben is not one-way communication. Through interactive polls, short exercises, targeted Q&As, and humor, the content is translated into the daily reality of the participants.
THE 3 TOPICS DR. BEN TIGGELAAR SPEAKS ABOUT:
1. LEADERSHIP
Focus on what works in day-to-day practice.
- Leadership is behavior: why vision only gains meaning through action.
- The psychology of engagement: what truly motivates people to contribute.
- Effective habits: the daily routines that make the difference for a team.
- Five proven building blocks: a practical foundation for effective leadership.
- Leading yourself: the hardest task of the day.
2. CHANGE
Bridging the gap between knowing and doing.
- Why change is difficult: the human side of organizational change.
- Real movement: what it takes to bring people along in a new direction.
- Innovation is human work: how to organize innovation that actually works.
- The psychology of resistance: understanding where the real pain lies.
- Change psychology in practice: insights you can apply immediately.
3. PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
Taking control of your own work and life.
- Behavior as a foundation: why personal leadership starts with self-awareness.
- What does science say? Facts and myths about success and “the good life.”
- Goals that work: how to translate ambitions into achievable steps.
- From talking to doing: why defining concrete behavior is the key.
- Organizing support: how to shape your environment so you actually take action.
You can book Dr. Ben Tiggelaar as a speaker for three types of sessions:
1. KEYNOTE
For conferences, seminars, and other large events.
Ben Tiggelaar offers participants practical eye-openers as well as the energy to get started immediately.
- Duration: 60–90 minutes
- Number of participants: unlimited
2. MASTERCLASS
For organizations that want participants to truly learn and practice.
Participants receive: state-of-the-art insights, interaction and short exercises, practical applications.
- Duration: 1 or 2 half-days
- Number of participants: unlimited
3. MANAGEMENT SESSION
For executive boards and management teams.
In these stand-up consulting sessions, Ben helps participants get to the core of complex issues and translate evidence-based insights into practice.
- Duration: 1 or 2 half-days
- Number of participants: maximum 15
What about costs and availability?
Contact Assemblee Speakers. We can send you a price list and any other information you need.
Literature
DE LADDER
Waarom veranderen zo moeilijk is én... welke 3 stappen wel werken
Iedereen met een beetje levenservaring weet dat écht veranderen - op je werk en thuis - niet makkelijk is.
Maar aan de hand van een slim en eenvoudig model - De Ladder - beschrijft Ben Tiggelaar...
• Hoe je doelen stelt die wél werken;
• Hoe je gedrag kiest dat wél tot succes leidt;
• Welke support wél helpt bij verandering.
Dit boek biedt je de allerbeste, actuele inzichten uit de veranderpsychologie. Toegankelijk, praktisch én effectief.
Dit wordt jouw jaar
Elk jaar willen miljoenen mensen hun werk- en privéleven een positieve impuls geven. Een stap vooruit in je loopbaan; je beter in je lijf voelen; een betere balans tussen werk en thuis.Veel mensen falen, maar een klein deel slaagt wél. Wat doen deze mensen anders dan de rest? Wat zeggen onderzoekers hierover? En welke praktische tips gaan je helpen om van de komende twaalf maanden jouw jaar maken?
MBA in een dag - Het boek
'MBA in één dag' is de ultieme survivalgids voor managers, ondernemers en professionals. Covey, Porter, Mintzberg, Drucker, Collins, Kotter... Alle bekende managementdenkers komen aan bod. Hun meest inspirerende ideeën, superscherp samengevat en glashelder geordend. Met tal van voorbeelden, checklijsten en praktische tips.
Wie succesvol wil zijn moet vooral een beetje geluk hebben
Elke week schrijft Ben Tiggelaar in NRC over werk en leven. Over leiderschap, geluk, menselijk gedrag, innovatie, veranderen, karakter, motivatie en succes. En vaak blijkt dat het nét iets anders werkt dan je dacht.
Dit boek bevat 52 recente columns. Vol met stimulerende inzichten en praktische tips.
Domen Durven Doen
Dit boek helpt je om de stap van dromen, naar durven en – uiteindelijk – doen te zetten. Waarom houden we de meeste veranderingen niet vol? Wat bepaalt 95% van je gedrag (zonder dat je het merkt)? Hoe ontwikkel je met succes nieuwe, effectieve gewoontes? Iedereen heeft dromen op het gebied van werk, relatie, gezondheid, persoonlijke ontwikkeling... Maar wat is er nodig om de stap van dromen, naar durven en - uiteindelijk - doen te zetten? Wat zijn de geheimen van échte blijvende verandering?
Reviews Spreker
Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum
Yefke Patiwael,At our conference, 150 participants gave Ben an average rating of 8.97! Comments from the evaluations included: “An immediate connection with the audience”; “Inspiring, scientifically grounded, and immediately applicable”; “Energetic and inspiring."
Randstad
Impke Bakker,In addition to his extensive expertise, Ben Tiggelaar has an infectious enthusiasm!
Compassion USA
Alberto Huerta,What made Ben’s session so impactful was the combination of scientific depth, practical applicability, and genuine interaction. His passion is contagious and made it an energetic and highly valuable session for our executive leaders.
Dorcas International
Agnes Kroese,According to our international leaders, the morning with Dr. Ben Tiggelaar was a great success. It was experienced as highly practical, personal, and inspiring. The content is already delivering tangible results for Dorcas in practice. Ben’s humor also contributed greatly to the success of the session.
ABN AMRO Bank
Lidia Moret,The high expectations were more than met. I’ve never come back from a seminar so inspired. I wish my entire team could have attended. This is something everyone should experience.
ABN AMRO Bank
Brigitte Loppé,We were pleasantly surprised by Ben’s thorough preparation. It certainly paid off during our conference. The participants were very enthusiastic and clearly saw themselves reflected in Ben’s message.
ProRail
Kees Nijenhuis,What sets him apart is his dynamic presentation style. One of the most striking things is how effortlessly he connects with his audience, keeping them fully engaged throughout. With his knowledge and experience, he builds rapport with ease.
EY
Gijs de Vries,An exceptionally polished presentation. High energy, excellent English, great verbal and nonverbal timing, top-notch slides, and well-timed interactive exercises throughout. He gave everyone a clear wake-up call. In my opinion, it was truly one of the best presentations I’ve seen in recent years.
Ministry of Defence, The Netherlands
Jarno Goosmann,The collaboration with Ben Tiggelaar was a great success. What especially impressed us was how closely he tailored his presentation to our audience. Outstanding!
Dutch High school Arnhem and Nijmegen [HAN]
Kees Boele, ChairmanDr. Ben Tiggelaar engaged our employees, teachers, students, and entrepreneurs with a strong, enthusiastic, inspiring, and pragmatic presentation on leadership. Ben is truly highly recommended!
Photonis Technologies
Goossen Boers, President & CEODr. Ben Tiggelaar's presentation was received extremely positively. Participants from every country responded positively — very positively.
Hamlet Protein Denmark
Charlotte Riis Røikjær,We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from participants worldwide — not only through the online evaluations, but some people even called us separately to tell us how much they enjoyed Ben’s session and his energy!