Fokuso Coaching & Training

From Blame to Connection: A Team Finds Its Way Back

A case study from Fokuso Coaching & Training, the Netherlands.

The Situation

Two participants reviewing a printed MindSonar profile during a team day at Fokuso.
Two participants studying their MindSonar profiles during the team day.

A school in the middle of the Netherlands reached out to Fokuso Coaching & Training for support with a team that had come to a standstill. Ten teachers, men and women, were working toward a shared goal: preparing students for their final exams. Genuine collaboration, however, had all but disappeared.

The atmosphere was tense. Accusations flew back and forth. One person felt their colleagues were too casual about things. Another felt that every minor detail was being blown out of proportion. One team member had a reputation for never being satisfied, always finding fault, always pushing back. Another withdrew, adapting to whoever was loudest, rarely making his own voice heard.

Meanwhile, the overall results were actually quite solid. No one on the team could see that anymore.

The Root of the Problem

The team did not understand each other. This was not because people lacked the will to collaborate, but because no one had insight into why the other person behaved the way they did. Different work values and different ways of seeing. Without understanding those differences, behavioural contrasts quickly start to feel like personal attacks.

The Approach

Team members leaning over MindSonar profile posters during the F5 feedback session.
Team members writing anonymous feedback on each other’s profiles, following the F5 method.

Fokuso used two tools.

MindSonar. A profile that provides insight into the thinking styles and values a person applies at work. Not a label, but a mirror.

The F5 Method. A structured approach in which team members give each other anonymous feedback based on their profiles. Because the feedback is anonymous, the sting disappears. Judgements do not surface directly. What remains is honest, recognisable insight.

The ten teachers completed the MindSonar profiles, exchanged anonymous feedback, and worked through the outcomes together during a team day.

What Happened

Two team members reading a MindSonar profile together at a long table in the Fokuso studio.
Two colleagues working through the outcomes together, one of the quieter moments of the day.

The anonymity turned out to be the key element. Because team members did not know who the feedback came from, the automatic defensiveness fell away. Space opened up to genuinely listen, both to what others experienced and to what each person’s own profile revealed.

The conversation shifted from who is right to how each person actually looks at the work.

Team members discovered each other’s blind spots and strengths. For the first time, they understood why one colleague always pushed for more detail, driven by a deep-rooted need for quality and structure. They also saw why others kept wanting to protect the bigger picture.

The Breakthrough

Two moments stood out.

The team member who had long been known as the eternal critic, the one who was never satisfied and kept hammering on the same points, openly shared at the end of the day that he felt heard and seen for the first time in years.

Another colleague, who typically operated reactively and let his attitude be shaped by those around him, realised that he was allowed to step forward. His knowledge and perspective were genuinely valuable to the team, in line with his profile rather than in conflict with it.

The Results

  • From mutual blame to mutual understanding.
  • Insight into each other’s motivations and work values.
  • Concrete tools for better collaboration.
  • More energy and ownership within the team.
  • A team day experienced as a genuine turning point.

What This Shows

Collaboration rarely breaks down because people do not want to work together. It breaks down because people do not understand each other. When what drives someone becomes visible, and when there is enough safety to talk about it, the dynamic changes. Problems are not avoided, they are examined through the right lens.

Does your organisation have a team that is stuck, or one that shows more potential than its current output suggests? Fokuso guides teams using proven methods such as MindSonar and the F5 approach.

Get in touch at www.fokuso.nl. To learn more about MindSonar, visit mindsonar.info.

About the practitioner: Jan van der Werf, Holistic Coach

Sometimes you get stuck. In your work, in your team, or simply in yourself. You notice that you keep ruminating, spend too much time in your head, or lose energy. These are precisely the moments when Jan helps you bring movement back.

Through Fokuso Coaching & Training, Jan has been offering individual coaching, team coaching, and training programmes such as mindfulness (MBCT), ACT, and systemic work for more than ten years. Not abstract, but down to earth and practical. The focus is on strengthening resilience, focus, and balance.

Jan believes that everyone has the capacity to grow, even when things are difficult. His approach is intensive, results-oriented, and at times confronting, yet always delivered with empathy and respect for each person’s unique story. Small steps can lead to significant change: less stress, more calm in the mind, energy in the body, and clarity in decisions.

Plan your appointment at Fokuso and make the difference today.
www.fokuso.nl · 06 5264 0611 · info@fokuso.nl

Why good collaboration doesn’t always translate upwards

Brigitta Kuipers is a coach and facilitator who has supported Works Councils (Ondernemingsraden), Works Council members and secretaries for many years. In her practice, MindSonar is a key instrument she uses to make team dynamics, decision criteria and communication patterns visible in a concrete, actionable way. She often combines MindSonar insights with practical improvement frameworks such as the Participation Ladder and the PDCA cycle to help Works Councils strengthen their impact and effectiveness.

Below, Brigitta shares a recent MindSonar case that illustrates how the same team can feel highly effective internally, yet struggle to achieve “equal footing” in a different context.

“On this occasion, I had the opportunity to administer a MindSonar assessment with a team that, internally, works together very effectively. Their main challenge, however, lay in their interactions with their counterpart during formal discussions. That counterpart was not included in the assessment, but the MindSonar results nevertheless provided the team with valuable insight.

I added two additional questions:
• How would you rate collaboration within the team on a scale of 1–10 (10 = excellent)?
• How would you rate the degree of equality in your conversations with your counterpart (the Director) on a scale of 1–10?

I incorporated these scores into the MindSonar team profile analysis. Internal collaboration averaged 8/10. The perceived equality in conversations with the Director averaged 6.3/10 — indicating clear scope for improvement.

When we mapped similarities and differences in values and mindsets, the debrief confirmed why the team functions well internally: they are strongly aligned on values and their thinking styles complement one another effectively.
(Diagram by Guus Hustinx and Anneke Durlinger, from Voorbij je eigen wijze: effectief communiceren met metaprogramma’s in professionele relaties.)

So why did the intended outcome – a conversation with the Director on an equal footing – still feel difficult to achieve in practice?

Reviewing the profile, the group recognised that the pattern of their drives made perfect sense for their internal meetings, which are largely focused on collaboration and learning — i.e., meetings without the Director. Yet they completed the MindSonar in the context of meetings with the Director: someone with whom, legally, they should be able to speak “as equals”, but with whom they did not experience that equality at the time.

In this context, equality sometimes requires a firmer stance on behalf of the group: asking follow-up questions when an initial answer is not sufficiently clear, and being willing to state explicitly when you disagree.

The profile helped them see that, in meetings with the Director, they could work more from the “power” drive, and somewhat less from “together” and “order” (the agreements, procedures, and formalities that typically shape these consultations).”

MindSonar in practice: from conscious recruitment to team synergy

Modern business is increasingly moving away from intuitive “gut feelings” in favor of hard data regarding soft skills. Anna Rutkowska, a MindSonar expert, demonstrates how understanding thinking strategies changes the quality of recruitment, management, and personal development.

Not just “do they fit,” but “how will we work together”

In work with organizations, MindSonar is most often used in two key areas: recruitment and building effective teams. As Anna Rutkowska emphasizes, the recruitment process isn’t just about asking, “Does this person fit the company?”.

Equally important, and often decisive, is the second question: “If we hire them—how will we work together? What is important to us?”.

Anna Rutkowska

Using MindSonar at the recruitment stage allows us to examine several key aspects:

  • how the candidate thinks in the context of a given role,
  • what strategies they trigger when making decisions, facing change, or working under pressure,
  • what they need to work effectively,
  • what might be a natural challenge for them.

Thanks to this, the job interview ceases to be a game of appearances and becomes a partnership-based and transparent exchange. It is not about “force-fitting,” but about consciously checking whether the candidate’s way of thinking and the company’s work culture can align.

The language of strategy instead of judgments

After hiring, this tool becomes the foundation of cooperation. It facilitates getting to know each other and understanding where team members naturally complement one another and where differences might lead to tension. Instead of interpreting colleagues’ behavior through the lens of judgments or labels, an objective “language of thinking strategies” emerges. This significantly lowers tension in the team and allows everyone to understand what drives some and what might irritate others.

In parallel, MindSonar proves effective in individual work—with managers, specialists, or people undergoing professional change. The tool does not say “what someone is like,” but shows how they think in a specific context and what they can do with that information. It is crucial to see what triggers automatically within us: when a given strategy supports us, and when it begins to sabotage our actions.

Below, we present the stories of people who have experienced working with this tool.

Client case studies

Barbara Zapadka – accountant

Assessment context: “Me in business”

Barbara, while working on her business profile, discovered how her natural pursuit of perfection influences project realization.

“Ania explained how to interpret the test results in a very accessible way. Her suggestions were incredibly valuable and allowed me to look at myself differently.

I usually perceive myself quite critically, but the MindSonar session showed me my strengths and weaknesses and made me realize that in many matters, I should be proud of myself. This was a huge discovery, and for that reason alone, I highly recommend it. I believe the MindSonar test is simply tailor-made. It made me aware of my way of thinking in many aspects and in relationships with other people.

By implementing the test results, I delve deeper into myself, I get to know myself, and therefore it is easier for me to avoid situations that could lead me to make wrong decisions.”

Expert comment: “In the business context, Barbara shows higher external reference, great prudence, and attention to detail. During the discussion, we talked about how she sometimes abandons her ideas because she needs to have a perfectly, meticulously refined plan—which still seems insufficient to her. She needs feedback and reassurance. Being aware of this mechanism allows her to use it consciously: to check the environment, but also to look for people who will ‘wind beneath her wings’ and support her, instead of reinforcing her hesitation. All in line with the principle: done is better than perfect.”

Ilona – team leader
Taking the assessment twice at different moments in her career

“I had the opportunity to take the MindSonar assessment twice. Each time, it held very high value for me.

In the first case, being aware of my thinking style in a specific context allowed me to discover a pattern of action and change it. It turned out that thanks to this, I could look beyond my limitations and thereby achieve different, better results.

In the second case, the assessment enabled me to see my own resources that I hadn’t noticed before. Crucial for me was the discussion, working through it, and using the knowledge I had gained. I encourage you, therefore, not to stop at just checking, but to undertake conscious work with the obtained information about your own potential, because it is a treasury of knowledge about yourself.”

Ilona_Dzwoniarkiewicz

Anna Krupińska – MindSonar expert
From client to trainer

“The MindSonar session you conducted was a moment of deep insight for me into what really drives me. For the first time, I so clearly saw the significance of contradiction and authority in my way of acting and thinking in such an important context for me—elements I hadn’t been able to name with such precision before.

This meeting not only organized many issues for me but also showed the potential of the tool, which convinced me immediately. So strongly, in fact, that I decided to start my own path working with MindSonar as a trainer. Now, thanks to you, I can also help people develop and work on eliminating what doesn’t actually serve them.”

 Anna Prokopiuk – internal trainer
Understanding her own reactivity

“MindSonar is a very practical tool that helped me better understand how I operate, what drives me, and how to develop. I could see opportunities, but also consciously approach threats resulting from my thinking style.

Naming things that I felt intuitively but couldn’t describe well was valuable for me. The report itself is just the beginning. The greatest value for me was discussing it—a developmental conversation with a certified trainer who helped me connect the individual elements of the report and see much more. I was able to look at my reactivity from a broader perspective. To consider when it supports me and when it holds me back.

How my reactivity, combined with attention to detail and a ‘problem-oriented’ focus, might affect my actions or lack thereof in the examined context. At the same time, I left with a reflection and a declaration of what I want to pay attention to, so as not to unnecessarily delay action. I also saw when my reactivity is a resource. I recommend the assessment to anyone who wants to understand themselves and act more consciously.”

At the same time, I left with a reflection and a declaration of what I want to pay attention to, so as not to unnecessarily delay action. I also saw when my reactivity is a resource. I recommend the assessment to anyone who wants to understand themselves and act more consciously.”

Grzegorz Waloszczyk

Manager perspective

“I will start by saying that MindSonar is a tool that brilliantly shows a given person’s strengths, highlights their traits, does not judge them, but makes them aware of mechanisms of action and ways of thinking. Most importantly, while examining all of this, it uses a grounding in a specific context.

I have participated in the MindSonar assessment several times. In two cases, the context was different. Twice, however, I participated in the assessment grounded in the same context, but with a significant time gap and in slightly different realities (team expansion).

The most valuable thing was that MindSonar did not judge me, but by grounding me in the context, it showed and made me aware of what mechanisms drive me and which ones potentially hold me back. An additional asset was that Ania, presenting the results of the study, presented everything clearly and lucidly, and where I needed to find out more, she answered all my questions and explained why it might be so.

I think I didn’t have a major moment of surprise, but rather I felt that for some reason I act the way I do. MindSonar gave me the answer to the question: ‘Why do I act this way and not otherwise.’ This gave me tremendous value, namely: when and which of my internal resources to reach for at a given moment, and what to work on in the context of development. It was interesting and perhaps a bit surprising that while answering questions during the assessment, I had the impression that the tool was getting to know me more and more, as if the questions were tailored exactly for me. I also learned about my ways of thinking and why I act the way I do when touching upon various topics.

Firstly, regarding the assessment for myself, thanks to the MindSonar tool, I naturally reach for my ‘talents,’ but now much more consciously. I have the impression that I also feel more what is my driving force in a given topic. It’s a bit like we think we feel a given topic much more. Thanks to MindSonar, I know where that comes from. Additionally, thanks to this, I got to know myself much more, and I know with what and in what way I act and how I can still develop.

Besides that, MindSonar allowed me to discover superpowers that I can naturally use in work with my team. It was also very good that before we had a ‘team calibration’ meeting, everyone in our team completed such an assessment, which effectively resulted in ideal complementation and organization of the team according to needs and division of work during the meeting. Interestingly, everyone then naturally reached for their strongest sides.

I have used the MindSonar tool several times. Each time it was a different moment in my work. Additionally, in one situation, it was a tool supporting the recruitment process for me, in which I worked as a recruiter. Thanks to the tool and this assessment, I knew what ways of thinking specific people have and what ‘superpowers’ they possess.

I will emphasize one very important thing, and for me the most important. The tool itself without the discussion would not have given me such tremendous value and broad information if it weren’t for Ania Rutkowska.

After conducting the assessment, Ania explained everything brilliantly at a separate summary meeting. She presented how I act, how I think, what drives me in given thinking and acting. What superpowers I have. Each time I had the feeling that I was discovering something interesting and new, which later gave me a huge kick to act.”

Grzegorz_Waloszczyk2

Refreshing & Unlocking Team Potential: How MindSonar Transforms Leadership and Team Dynamics

Many teams function and operate from theory, what is read, heard, and, to a certain extent, what is learned during their experience. The challenge is that many of these teams fail to get to know their members, recognize their values ​​and thinking styles, and understand how these can be used to the team’s advantage to achieve the team’s goals.

MindSonar is a unique tool that brings value to the strengths and areas of improvement of each participant in a team. Recently, I had the opportunity to lead an F-5 Team-building powered by MindSonar, in which 36 company leaders gained self-awareness on how they work when being part of their team. What made this team building unique was that each participant received a group debriefing and then carried out a group SWOT analysis; all of this integrated dynamic activities that included a Bingo, a Scavenger Hunt, and many other activities that allowed them to practice what they were learning about themselves and as a group.

This team discovered that they appreciate order, procedures, and systems but also highly appreciate relatedness, teamwork, and shared accountability. Furthermore, getting there or providing results is an important motivational factor for this team.

It was interesting for them to learn that they have an optimistic approach as a group, that they are highly committed to their activities, and that they are confident in their ability to effect change. They also learned that they are more capable of responding tactfully, excellently attaining goals, and being purposeful, making them perform well under pressure. All of these strengths provide advantages as a team, making them unique. However, MindSonar also allows them to evaluate the disadvantages, preparing them for challenging scenarios that will test them as a team.

One of the unique aspects of this experience was that this client could evaluate their group profile during the team-building, discovering their strengths and areas of opportunity. Another aspect that added value to the client was that this group of 36 leaders was part of 3 critical subgroups in the organization. Therefore, we created and delivered a tailored report for each subdivision, including recommendations for each division team. This report highlighted the client experience in creating a personalized and strategic expertise and approach. MindSonar provided this team with a blueprint to enhance leadership development and align their personal brand with strategic goals. This alignment directly influences the employer brand, as leaders who understand their strengths are better equipped to inspire and attract top talent, positioning the organization as a dynamic and desirable workplace.

MindSonar is a valuable tool for your team or leaders, especially if you want to focus on self-improvement, managerial leadership, and team management. It is also helpful for trainers and consultants as it offers specific guidance to support personalized strategies for leaders and organizations. Use MindSonar to elevate leadership development, improve communication, and optimize work patterns. Want Your Team to be at its Best? Then Unlock or Refresh your team today with MindSonar!

Pioneering Success with MindSonar in Greece: Our First Training and Expanding Impact

In Greece, we are proud to share the tremendous success of our inaugural training program for MindSonar professionals, which took place in Greece and was led by esteemed trainers Jaap Hollander(creator of MindSonar)  and Nikolas Fragkias. This milestone marks an essential chapter in our commitment to empowering coaches, corporate leaders, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of human behavior and decision-making.

Our first training session was a resounding success, with 11 dedicated professionals completing the comprehensive program. These new MindSonar professionals are now actively applying their expertise in the field, using their skills to facilitate personal and professional growth in various sectors. Their positive impact is already visible, with innovative practices and insights being brought to their teams and clients.

The use of MindSonar in the corporate and coaching fields has proven to be a game changer. Our methodology, which maps thinking styles and meta-programs to enhance communication and alignment, has already shown remarkable results. By helping leaders and teams understand their thought processes and motivational patterns, we empower them to achieve better collaboration, improved productivity, and deeper engagement.

Our results speak for themselves. 

Companies and coaches that have incorporated MindSonar into their practices have experienced significant advancements in both team dynamics and individual performance. The feedback we receive highlights the transformational power of our approach: clients appreciate how MindSonar provides clarity in complex scenarios and supports targeted growth strategies that resonate on a personal level.

The success of our initial training cohort, now deployed in real-world applications, and our growing influence in corporate and coaching settings solidifies MindSonar as a trusted name in the field. We are excited to build on this momentum, continue training professionals, and expand our reach to make a lasting difference in how individuals and teams think, connect, and succeed.

More news from Greece with corporate case studies and interviews from our professionals very soon.