Can we stay competitive without losing our own damned minds?
Across Europe, the pressure is mounting... to work harder, innovate faster, and compete with global powerhouses. But whether you’re starting a company or supporting one, the personal cost of that ambition cannot be ignored. Or can it?
Entrepreneurs face intense responsibility, blurred boundaries, and the weight of high expectations. Employees navigate fast-moving cultures that demand constant adaptability and availability. Somewhere between performance and passion, many are quietly asking: how much of myself do I have to give?
Thomas is a successful CEO at one of Belgium’s most respected employers, and he’s gone the extra mile to climb the corporate ladder. But what did it cost him? We’ll ask Anke Boone to unpack this pattern and to share her thoughts on staying competitive without embracing the high-stress culture we see elsewhere in the world.
This Fireside Chat explores the emotional realities behind economic ambition. Can we stay competitive without losing touch with ourselves? Is there room for care, reflection, and rest in systems built for speed?
Thomas Van Eeckhout
CEO | Easi
Thomas Van Eeckhout began his career at Easi in 2006 as an Internal Sales employee. Through dedication and alignment with the company's values, he rose through the ranks to become co-CEO in 2019. Under that leadership, Easi has expanded from 200 to over 600 employees and completed multiple strategic acquisitions.
Easi stands out for its participatory business model: nearly one in four employees is a shareholder . This approach fosters a culture of ownership, responsibility, and shared success. Therefore, Easi has been recognized as Belgium’s “Best Workplace” every year since 2015. A remarkable achievement.
At and& Connect, he will open up about the unseen emotional weight of leadership: the pressure to perform, to protect, and to persevere, often in silence. He will also reflect on the sense of isolation that may come with the CEO role. Thomas will explore whether it’s possible to stay competitive (not just as a company, but as a person) without losing connection to yourself, your people, and your purpose.
His story is both a playbook for growth and a mirror for every leader who’s ever asked: is it supposed to feel this heavy sometimes?
Anke Boone
PhD Researcher | KU Leuven
Anke Boone is a researcher working on her Phd at the Centre for Environment and Health at KU Leuven in the research group of Prof. Dr. Lode Godderis.
Her research investigates the evolution of burnout during medical education, assesses its main determinants, and identifies interventions that aim to prevent burnout. She is involved in various other projects related to mental health, well-being, and burnout, often with a focus on healthcare professionals.
At and& Connect, she will discuss the importance of implementing effective strategies to prevent burnout, not only in the medical sector but across all domanis in the workfield. How can we ensure that innovation in organizations also considers the well-being of its employees?
