IMA Netherlands | National Training Day

IMA Netherlands National Training Day 

15 november | 09:30 -16:30  

Woudschoten Hotel & Conferentiecentrum, Zeist 

Cultivating Personal Leadership  

After the International Conference in Hasselt, where Empowering Leadership takes center stage, we’ll continue straight into a deeper exploration. After all, inspiration only becomes valuable when you translate it into your daily work. Together with leadership trainer Varinka Bouma, you will immerse yourself in two powerful workshops. 

You’ll learn how to strengthen your influence, enhance your presence, and transform conflicts into connection. Expect an interactive day full of eye-openers, reflection, and new tools you can apply immediately. This is a deep dive into your personal leadership, alongside peers who understand what it means to work at the highest level. And all of this takes place at the beautiful Woudschoten Hotel & Conference Centre in Zeist, surrounded by forest. 

Morning program 

Own your presence, amplify your influence 

Focus: Presence, self-awareness, and the dynamics of influence 

This highly interactive session helps Executive Assistants strengthen their presence and understand how they impact others. Through experiential activities based on Patsy Rodenburg’s “Three circles” model and a practical framework of “The four lenses of influence,” participants will: 

• Discover how others perceive them through a reorienting ‘first impression’ activity (do not share this with the participants yet) 
• Experience and practice authentic presence (second circle) 
• Explore their personal influence style (character, connection, competence, contribution)  
• Identify one small, concrete way to grow their influence 

Afternoon program 

Out of the Box: Turning Conflict into Connection 

Focus: Conflict transformation and relational mindset 

This workshop reframes conflict as an opportunity for clarity and connection. Using the Arbinger Institute’s “Anatomy of Peace” framework, participants explore how we unknowingly ‘box’ ourselves and others, reinforcing cycles of tension or avoidance. Through reflection, embodiment, and dialogue, participants will: 

• Recognize their personal patterns in conflict 
• Understand the psychological and emotional ‘boxes’ we operate from 
• Learn a model for shifting mindset and behavior to restore connection 
• Practice a new way of approaching conflict with curiosity and openness. 

About Varinka Bouma 

Varinka is a relationship architect. Whether working with teams or executives, her mission is the same: to strengthen the connections that make everything else work. 

“Executive Assistants are the quiet powerhouses of any organization, influencing far more than what’s on your job description. When your presence and influence grow, so does your impact. You are far more than a support function, you are a leader in your own right. And this workshop is designed to help you own that”. 

For IMA members we offer this full day of training for EUR 120,-*. 

Guest are welcome to join, the regular price of EUR 145,-* applies. 

This includes coffee, tea, water & snacks during the training,  a delightful lunch and drinks after the training. 

Woudschoten Hotel & Conferentiecentrum 
Surrounded by greenery and centrally located in the Netherlands, Woudschoten in Zeist offers 30 flexible rooms for meetings, trainings, and conferences for up to 350 guests. With free parking, excellent public transport connections, and a Green Key Gold certificate, Woudschoten combines sustainability, comfort, and warm hospitality. 

We will be welcomed by our business member Maurice Kniest, who will personally give us a tour to get acquainted with this unique venue. 

Would you like to stay overnight at the hotel? We have arranged a special rate: EUR 108,- per room, including breakfast. A promo code is available. Please contact eventcoordinator@nl.ima-network.org.