Wouter Blok’s Post

Today marks my last day at GetYourGuide. Records for the longest hiring process, as well as my longest tenure. 🗓️ 15 years ago I met Tao Tao and we started the collaboration with Easytobook where I was CMO. 🗓️ Years later I met Johannes Reck in a skilift and told him I was at Google running the booking account. End of that year he asked me to work in Berlin, but that wasn’t an option for me. 🗓️ 6 years ago Stephen Collopy was more successful, perfect timing and this time I was able to start as hybrid freelancer for Emil Martinsek. Half a year later I signed the contract. In the style of the company, I'll list the WWWs (what went well) and EBIs (even better if) of the last 6 years: WWWs ✅ Contributed growing revenue 6x, becoming the global leader in our space. ✅ Built deep connections inside and outside the company by leading with vulnerability, compassion and humor. Some have turned into friendships that will last a lifetime. ✅ Helped increase the growth org 5x in size, with special attention for personal growth by having regular contact with all skip 2 levels. ✅ Felt at home and in tune with the company values, to the extent that I have been called a cultural role model even by the founders. EBIs 🌱I was able to switch off from this amazing challenge rather than keep thinking and working when I should have taken rest. 🌱 I knew that as the stakes get higher one must treat themselves as an athlete with daily exercise and healthy nutrition. 🌱 I had done the shadow work on myself, so I would be able to manage myself and those around me that were struggling even better. As you might read in the above points, even when things are going pretty awesome you can still go too far and #burnout. When it happened to me last year I thought I'd be back in 2 months. Little did I know that what hit me would shut down several systems and take me out for almost a year. I've become a student in the topic of #MentalWellbeing, read 30+ books, listened to numerous podcasts, had fantastic coaching and therapy (shout out to independent wellbeing specialist Sylvia Weijmer and psycholist Bregje Brenninkmeijer of iPractice), even tried alternative holistic sessions and massages. I've created new flywheels in my life that ensure I have my daily dose of exercise, books, nature and good food. I am much more aware of my triggers and patterns, of which I've rewritten the ones that don't serve me anymore. I can meditate and switch off. I have written a white-paper with all my lessons learned and provided learning sessions to colleagues. If you're interested as well, just let me know and I'll share. It has been a truly transformative experience both on the professional and personal front. I'm also so proud of the achievements of this extraordinary bunch of beautiful human beings. I love you, IYKYK. Special shout out to those that stepped up when I was down: Paul Bertin Mircea Giurca Nikita Kazachkov Nadine Rivoldi. I'm not sad it's over but glad it happened.