{"id":54185,"date":"2026-08-22T17:06:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turner.nl\/uncategorized\/the-root-cause\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T17:06:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:06:50","slug":"the-root-cause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turner.nl\/en\/blog-en\/the-root-cause\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe root cause!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Column by Peter de Bruin<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cThe root cause!\u201d<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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We used to learn everything by heart. Good leaders lead the way in moving away from rote learning. Peter de Bruin discusses a fundamental issue. <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cCramming\u201d\u2014that\u2019s how we get through elementary and high school. We memorize lots of lists and multiplication tables! Physical and creative subjects are sidelined. That makes sense, because our society values left-brain achievements above all else. Learning is primarily focused on measurable perfection, comparability, and competition\u2014within each discipline. Seeing connections, the ability to make connections, intuition, reflection, and creativity carry less weight. They\u2019re also less measurable and therefore more subjective in those comparisons. Cognitive performance is what matters. <\/p>

At home, too, you learn to use your head wisely. You adapt, learn what\u2019s expected, and develop a sense of what\u2019s normal. Often, you don\u2019t choose what suits you best\u2014instead, you conform. In the parental home, the message is: \u201cIf you won\u2019t do it willingly, you\u2019ll do it unwillingly.\u201d To avoid that pain\u2014think of disapproval, exclusion, mental or physical suffering\u2014you live up to expectations. In doing so, your mind weighs the chance of being \u201cright\u201d against the risk of being \u201cwrong.\u201d <\/p>

Is that really such a bad thing? I used to think not. As a late bloomer and a go-getter, I was mainly busy catching up on life. A lot of adjustments. I successfully broke through barriers; for a long time, I didn\u2019t face any problems\u2014only challenges. Fortunately, in my line of work, I often encountered situations where logic alone wasn\u2019t enough. And it turned out that some walls were stronger than I was. After enough bruises, with the help of mentors, I was able to \u201crediscover\u201d my right brain. Fortunately, I rediscovered the inseparable \u201csoft side\u201d of change in time and dared to \u201creason\u201d from my feelings rather than just with logic. <\/p>

So now I know better. I understand now that I\u2019m not what I think I am. You still see this kind of mismatch all around you. Many leaders so often leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Our upbringing primarily nourishes the mind. And it drives us away from our nature, our primal self! That explains the enormous stress and many physical ailments. Often with serious consequences, including childhood trauma and burnout. <\/p>

We\u2019ve gone too far in our minds, and even later in life we\u2019re still trying to avoid the old pains caused by all the adjustments we\u2019ve made. With their minds as a refuge, most people live caught between shame about themselves and judgment of others. Until life intervenes. Often in the form of an unfortunate, sorrowful life event\u2026\u2026\u2026 <\/p>

Fortunately, leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the need to shift from \u201clearning from the head\u201d to \u201clearning to step out of the head.\u201d First and foremost, this is for their authentic selves\u2014where mind and body are connected. Meditation, massage, or bodywork can help, as can walking in nature or dancing. Psychology offers important tools and methods for this\u2014such as EMDR or psychedelics\u2014to \u201cturn off\u201d the mind and reconnect with the body. Once that connection is restored, there is greater balance. <\/p>

Good leaders recognize that the mind is the source of much progress, but also the source of much stress and emptiness. A better balance with the body\u2014our nature, our primal self\u2014is truly essential. Out of the mind, from cause to root cause! <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Meet the Author<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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