Johan Remkes: Het kon minder - Bert Hubert's writings
a day ago
- The book 'Het kon minder' is not a biography but describes how Johan Remkes became a sought-after problem solver.
- It highlights Remkes' method: good listening, clear summarizing, setting an independent course, and sticking to it.
- The book contrasts current chaotic politics with past cooperation where politicians listened and compromised.
- Remkes stayed in positions for extended periods (half to full decades) to finish tasks, unlike many today.
- Simple but hard-to-execute skills like listening in a noisy era are emphasized, along with strategic networking (e.g., smoking breaks, drinks).
- Independence from conflicting business interests helped Remkes maintain a stronger, more upright position.
- The reader gains renewed appreciation for old-fashioned skills: listening, compromise, independence, and keeping one's word.