Speak the ABC language, and connect deeply with your employees.

The ABC language creates connection and impact. This language is based on self-determination theory, one of the most influential psychological theories of this century, and the basic principles of connecting communication.

In this keynote, you will learn in what ways you can be motivated for your work, how to increase optimal motivations, and what are the crucial components of trust. She uses a handy 'ABC' for this, which goes back to our universal and innate basic psychological needs.

Hermina interactively teaches you the basics of this ABC language, she teaches you how to give feedback, connective communication, and above all, she makes you feel how powerful and useful this language is, at home and at work.

Depending on your needs, Hermina focuses on themes that are alive in your organization, such as feedback, communication, stress, control, letting go, meaningfulness, meaning, impact, resistance to change, etc.

Knowing how to best motivate yourself and others is crucial, and in this keynote you will learn how to do this through your language. 

The scientific background, usability, concrete applicability, fun exercises and anecdotes complete the story

How do you ensure that your employees deliver top performance? And that they feel good and full of energy at work? In short, that your employees, customers and your entire organization blossom?

The answer lies in the way your employees are motivated.  Hermina focuses on a new way to motivate. Without control, without power or status, but from deep trust and true connection. She teaches you not only how to optimally motivate others, but also how to optimally motivate yourself. She bases this on self-determination theory, one of the most influential theories of this century.  

Hermina focuses on "high quality" motivation. And her story is scientific, evidence-based, and directly applicable. Hermina developed a Tool and Language for this purpose. A tool you can use immediately in your organization, but also at home. And a language you can speak directly.  

Themes include retention, onboarding, well-being, work-live balance, leadership, motivation, stress and burn-out, hybrid working, change, etc. 

And finally, investing in this approach pays off: a study shows that every dollar you invest in improving this "high quality" motivation pays off more than three dollars.

Depending on your needs, Hermina brings a customized reading.

Strategies for Leaders, HR Professionals, and Coaches to Foster a Positive Work Environment

Anger and aggression show up everywhere: customers, patients, clients, colleagues, even leadership teams. The question is not whether it happens—but whether your people know what to do when it does.

In this dynamic keynote, Hermina Van Coillie shows how to stay calm under pressure, de-escalate tense interactions, and prevent anger from turning into conflict, absenteeism, or burnout. You will learn a clear, practical framework to understand what drives anger (in yourself and others), how to regulate emotions in the moment, and how to communicate in a way that restores safety and cooperation.

Grounded in the ABC-model (autonomy, belonging/connectedness, competence) and evidence-based insights on motivation and behavior, this keynote translates psychology into language, techniques, and micro-interventions you can apply immediately—on the work floor, in customer contact, and in team dynamics.

What your audience takes away:

• Practical techniques to regulate stress, frustration, irritation, and anger in real time

• A simple lens to recognize triggers and escalation patterns (your own and others’)

• De-escalation language that works with customers, patients, and colleagues

• Concrete strategies to reduce conflict and build resilience

• How to create a work climate that lowers aggression and increases psychological safety

Ideal for managers, HR, team leads, trainers/coaches, and any team working in high-pressure contexts.

A critical success factor for innovation, retention and growth.

Do you recognize this? 

You're in a meeting, wanting to ask a question because something is not clear. You look around... But, oh well. No one asks that question. Everyone seems to know this already. So what do you think? "I'm expected to know it too." And what do you do? You stay silent. "I better not ask, imagine what they'll think of me. I'll figure it out later on my own." 

This is what happens in a psychologically unsafe environment. We don't dare to admit that we don't know something. But it's more than that. It's also about not daring to suggest that things can be done differently, or not being able to say that we disagree with a proposal, not daring to question something... Can you see how this "silence" causes a team or organization to simply not function? Stagnation? Stalemate? No progress, no innovation, demotivated people. 

Employees constantly walking on eggshells, unable to be themselves. It's not enjoyable to work in such a team, and you actually want to leave as soon as possible. 

"In a team with a low level of psychological safety, people are not comfortable speaking up and/or feel that there may be consequences if they question things." 

In this keynote, you will find answers to the following questions:

• Why don't we dare to speak?

• Why don't we ask that question?

• Why don't we say that it could be done differently?

• Why don't we dare to make our proposal?

• How can you make your team (feel) safe again?

• What variables make a team unsafe?

• How can you work on this? 

You will receive the scientific background of psychological safety and tips and exercises to immediately start working on it. 

After this keynote, you will have everything you need to create a team where you and your employees can truly be yourselves, make mistakes (and learn from them), ask questions no matter how crazy they may be, take risks, address problems, and disagree. Your team will become a safe place where everyone feels at home, can grow, learn, feel good, and achieve top performance! 

In this workshop/keynote/training, depending on the available time (ranging from 20 minutes to 2 days), we will start with some thought-provoking questions, followed by a section of theory, then exercises, tips, and we always conclude with an exciting challenge. A challenge that you can take home or try out with your team!

And How Motivation Becomes the Gamechanger. 

Sounds familiar?

• Team members who are absent more often than present

• Complaining at the coffee machine, but little ownership

• Teams with good intentions but lacking true action

• Gossip, noise, and “this is just how we do things here”

• Managers pulling all the weight while motivation fades under their feet

Let’s be honest: how much energy is leaking away here—day after day?

The solution? Not another well-being or motivation campaign.

Instead: High Quality Motivation – built on four powerful essentials that actually help teams thrive.

Because guess what? Intrinsic motivation isn’t always the holy grail. And thankfully so, because let’s face it – work isn’t always fun.

The good news? There’s a better way to motivate.

What to expect in this workshop:

1. The Motivation Check

How are your people really motivated? Discover whether they act from pressure (low quality motivation) or from purpose and enjoyment (high quality motivation).

And learn how to make the shift – sustainably.

2. The Purpose Check

How do you make work meaningful – even the boring or frustrating parts?

This tool introduces the four levels of meaning and shows how you can activate them at both individual and team level.

3. The ABC Check

People need more than a decent salary and a ping-pong table.

They crave Autonomy, Belonging, and a sense of Competence.

This check reveals the code to employees who not only feel good but also perform at their best.

4. The Strategy Check

Let’s be honest again: are your rules, processes, and systems enabling or suffocating motivation?

We’ll pinpoint where motivation leaks out – and how to redesign the structure to truly support people.

What High Quality Motivation delivers:

✅ Less absenteeism and lower turnover

✅ More ownership and positive energy

✅ Less drama, more action

✅ Teams that thrive and perform

✅ Leaders who move more with less effort

Ready for a keynote or workshop that actually works?

✅ Practical and concrete

✅ Backed by science

✅ Relatable and hands-on

✅ Applicable at work – and beyond

Say goodbye to victim mentality, excuses, and energy drain – and bring momentum back into your organisation.

How to get teams out of victim mode

Every organization knows them: the colleague who keeps complaining, sighing, and pointing fingers. Deadlines are unrealistic, projects are too heavy, customers too demanding, and managers too strict. The result? A negative atmosphere that drains energy, undermines collaboration, and tanks performance.

But… those “complaining colleagues” aren’t just difficult, they’re showing signs of low-quality motivation.

Complaining is more than just venting. It reinforces a victim mindset, lowers ownership, and spreads demotivation like wildfire through the team. Innovation stalls, teamwork crumbles, and the focus shifts from solutions to problems. Instead of stepping up, people step back. For leaders and colleagues, it’s paralyzing. The entire team starts performing below its potential.

This keynote helps you break that cycle. Backed by scientific insights and practical tools, you’ll learn how to shift from victimhood to accountability and foster high-quality motivation, so people take responsibility again.

The result?

Less absenteeism, lower turnover, reduced stress and burnout. More focus, stronger performance, and fewer mistakes. A culture where teams don’t get stuck in complaints, but thrive by co-creating meaningful solutions.

Key takeaways from this keynote:

• Recognize the signs of complaining behavior – and understand why it’s not the root cause, but a symptom.

• Shift the focus from “it’s someone else’s fault” to ownership and responsibility.

• Gain practical techniques to turn negative energy into solutions and collaboration.

• Learn how to build a culture where colleagues don’t pass on problems, but share and solve them together.

Harnessing Self-Determination Theory for Effective Salary and Bonus Systems

In this keynote, Hermina Van Coillie explores how Self-Determination Theory (SDT) can revolutionize your compensation strategies. Learn how to fulfill the basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness through a motivating salary and bonus system, leading to high-quality motivation and exceptional performance.

Key Insights:

• Understanding Self-Determination Theory: Discover how autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive high-quality motivation in the workplace.

• Effective Compensation Strategies: Learn practical techniques to create reward systems that enhance employee motivation and performance.

• Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Understand the negative effects of poorly designed reward systems, such as the crowding out effect and the overjustification effect.

• Fostering a Motivating Work Environment: Gain insights into creating a workplace culture that promotes intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction.

Target Audience:

This keynote is ideal for HR managers, directors, CEOs, business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, and coaches who want to develop effective compensation strategies that motivate and retain top talent.

Join Hermina Van Coillie to discover how to leverage the power of Self-Determination Theory for a motivating and high-performing workplace.