Anyone walking across the campus of Radboud University will quickly notice that a great deal happens behind the scenes. For Glenn van Berkum, who works at Campus & Facilities, that dynamic is part of his daily reality. He focuses on staff planning and sustainability within Food & Beverage, constantly moving between different hospitality locations, teams, and interests. No two days are the same, and that is precisely what makes his work interesting. "Change is really always part of the job," says Glenn. "To handle it better, I followed the programme Psychology of Organisational Change. It helped me to look at change differently: less through the lens of processes, and more through the lens of people."
Glenn van Berkum on organisational change: "Real change starts with people"
Name
Glenn van Berkum
Current role
Campus & Facilities, Food & Beverage Support at Radboud University
Opleiding
Psychology of Organisational Change (Radboud Management Academy)
Why did you choose this programme?
It was actually a perfect fit with what I was already doing and where I want to go. I wanted to better understand why people react the way they do to change, how you can respond to that effectively, and what influence you can have on the process yourself. I found it a truly inspiring time. The lecturers really made you think. Sometimes that was quite confronting, but that is precisely how you learn the most — especially about yourself and how you approach your work. It never stayed at the level of theory; you were constantly challenged to look critically at your own practice.
How has the programme influenced the way you work?
I notice the influence of the programme in my work every day. Change is a constant presence, but I now approach it far more consciously and strategically. What I use most is the people management component. Staying in contact with employees and truly understanding what is going on at the shop floor is, for me, the foundation. If I don't know what people are experiencing, it becomes very difficult to actually bring about change. Especially now, with the current budget cuts, that can be quite challenging at times. You have to make difficult choices. That is precisely when it helps that I am better able to analyse situations and look at them from different perspectives.
How has the programme influenced your role, your work, and your view on collaboration and change?
My job title hasn't changed over the years, but my role has. I now contribute much more at other levels — for example, within a sounding board group and an optimisation team. In my work, I focus primarily on staff planning and sustainability within Food & Beverage. What makes my work so enjoyable is the variety: no two days are the same and something is always happening. I get energy from solving problems and making sure everything keeps running. It really is never a dull moment, and that is what makes it so rewarding. What has stayed with me most from the programme is that there is often more behind assumptions than you initially think, and that group behaviour and leading by example have an enormous influence on how change unfolds.
For me, real change always starts with people, not with systems or rules.
How do you look towards the future, both in your career and in your vision on sustainable change?
For the future, I would say to everyone: keep challenging yourself and keep developing. If you do that, you can handle virtually any challenge that comes your way. At the moment I am in a good place, but in the longer term a move towards HR does appeal to me. My view on sustainability goes beyond the environment. For me, it starts with how we treat one another: respect, equality, and inclusion form the foundation. In my work, I try to be consciously attentive to that, so that everyone feels welcome and safe. Ultimately, sustainable change begins for me with awareness and mutual respect.
Contact information
- Organizational unit
- Radboud Management Academy
- Theme
- Society