The potential of a human is one of his greatest assets. To discover, unfold, and promote this potential is one of the most important responsibilities of a human. Although it should be the intention of every person on earth to do so, undiscovered talents mean that the continued existence of humans and society is endangered.
Born and raised in the Netherlands in a family environment, I have dealt with people from a very early age. Unconsciously, I developed the ability to speak to people and help them in a very simple way. As a young and inexperienced child, I spoke with older people and philosophized with them about life. When I think back to that time, it just sounds abrupt. At about six years old, my handicapped brother and I were already performing as musicians in a band on stage. We made music and performed in retirement homes, prisons, homes for the blind and disabled, and psychiatric hospitals. We simply made music for people with problems, whether it was due to age, finances, or psychology – it did not matter to us. For us, they were just humans. We touched and inspired these people not just by speaking and listening, but also through music.
My mother once told me an interesting story about me: After one of our performances in a prison, she searched hopelessly for me. When she finally found me, she couldn’t believe her own eyes. I was sitting in the canteen between the prisoners, talking to them. I gave people a sense of satisfaction and security. My childhood was marked by such encounters. In school, I was admired by many classmates and was a crucial point for problems. Strangely enough, I understood all of them and knew more about them than they even knew about themselves. I felt like I could read people’s eyes. However, that was normal for me. I always thought: I’m just like that!
After school, I decided to pursue an apprenticeship as a carpenter. After successfully completing my schooling, I wanted to return to my passion and started a music career. With our band, we did a European tour. During our tour in Switzerland, I met my wife Sonja and decided to stay in Switzerland. That was the best decision of my life. My wife Sonja and I have two wonderful daughters. Although music was my passion, that time was very hard for me. There was no room for negative energy on the stage. Even when I sometimes felt bad, I had to smile on stage. After all, I can look back on a good career.
After settling down quickly in Switzerland, I started my first permanent job as an insurance advisor. My portfolio was practically made up of elderly people. In the insurance industry, elderly people are uninteresting because they bring in less money. But I saw in older people the opportunity to help. I took my time and listened to them. I respected and cared for them, even though I earned practically nothing. I advised my clients on an emotional level. After several other jobs, such as Key Account Manager at large companies in the IT business, I started my own business. I sold beads and found in it my new passion. In many cultures, beads have a deep symbolic character and are considered therapeutic. By being able to learn a lot about people, I was able to sell them the matching beads. I was very successful with my bead company and ran the largest bead shop in Switzerland. I worked a lot during that time and was practically always at work with my thoughts. At some point, however, I realized that it couldn’t continue like this. I was not living my dream and my passion!
I have a dream! I started to coach kids and teens. I had a few sessions a week and then started coaching adults. At first, I did it without even knowing it, but suddenly I saw in myself more and more the ability to link complex and partially invisible connections. As a result, I knew things about those affected that they had never told me. In my head, it felt like this was normal. Because of that ability, I impressed people.
I traveled to many countries and dedicated myself to helping people. I visited schools in Africa and India and used very simple methods to develop the potential of many children. During a family vacation in America, I met one of the most famous drag racers in America and coached and supported him during his battle with cancer. I attended schools in Varanasi and coached the students there.
I call my previous work very successful. Success not in a financial sense, but on a human level. I immediately saw the effect in the children’s eyes and behavior and was happy about the obvious gratitude of the children. Seeing children who didn’t go to school suddenly attending school thanks to my coaching is something beautiful and indescribable. That’s what I stand for.
Marcel is also active with larger companies that require his support
He is not only a talented coach and a compassionate human being, but also an experienced conflict manager with the unique ability to guide companies through challenging times. With a deep understanding of human nature and a keen insight into interpersonal dynamics, Marcel has become a trusted advisor to businesses seeking to resolve conflicts and find their way back to success.
Drawing on his rich life experiences and innate ability to connect with people, Marcel has developed a reputation for helping organizations navigate through complex issues. He approaches conflict resolution with the same empathy and intuition that he applies in his personal coaching. By carefully listening, understanding, and addressing the underlying issues, Marcel is able to foster an environment of open communication and collaboration.
Marcel’s approach is not just about resolving immediate conflicts; it’s about creating sustainable change within companies. He helps businesses identify their core challenges, align their goals, and implement strategies that lead to long-term success. His work has proven invaluable to companies struggling with internal disputes, misaligned objectives, or other obstacles that hinder growth and productivity.
Through his conflict management skills, Marcel has been able to put numerous companies on the right path, guiding them to achieve not only their business goals but also to cultivate a healthy and positive organizational culture. His ability to blend his human-centric approach with practical business acumen makes him a powerful force in the corporate world, capable of transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
Being able to help a person is a special gift. Seeing thankfulness in the eyes of an individual fulfills me. My name is Marcel Willems and I want to help people awaken their full potential.!