What's it like to work at WesselinkVanZijst? In this interview series, our team members take you through their workday. What does it look like and what do they encounter? This time: Ilay Beeldsnijder, consultant and trainer. And an occasional comedian.

Hi Ilay, you've been working with us for about a year now. How did that match come about?

‘As a student, and even after, I participated in various mediation and negotiation competitions. In these, you are judged on your ability to, according to the principles of the Mutual gains approach to negotiate. At one of those events, I met a former intern of yours. He said, ‘I know the perfect workplace for you.’ I had just completed my Master of Laws, in which I specialized in the directions of Jurist and Government and Conflict Management, Judiciary and Mediation. Precisely the themes in which WesselinkVanZijst specializes. A match made in heaven, therefore. Fortunately, you saw it that way too.’

What fascinates you about the field?

‘The field aligns perfectly with my personality. I'm naturally curious and have a great deal of empathy – two important qualities when seeking solutions that benefit all parties. The law degree largely revolves around advocating for your own position. That was never my strong suit. I always thought, "The other person has a point too." At WesselinkVanZijst and in our field, it's not about convincing a judge. We look for solutions that help both parties move forward. Such a solution almost always better meets everyone's interests and needs than a solution imposed by a judge or other independent third party.

My fascination with this field also has a societal dimension. I believe that society benefits from good conflict resolvers. Conflicts are inevitable, but whether they lead to escalations or deadlocks or, on the contrary, to better outcomes, depends entirely on people's ability to deal with that conflict. In fact, everyone should possess that skill. The greater the collective ability to deal with conflicts, the less pressure is put on the justice system. I would like to contribute to that.’

Walk us through a workday.

‘Every day is different. I work on diverse cases for clients all over the country. For instance, together with a colleague, I provide advice and guidance on a discharge permit, the construction of a bridge, and a strategic plan for the Ministry of Defence. In this first year, I've been paired with a colleague to explore the field and get a feel for the strategic environmental management (SOM) to customize. And along the way, we get to know each other well! We're usually not out all day. Often a few hours, for example, to guide a dialogue session or interview stakeholders. Around that, I'm in the office, where I read up on things, prepare meetings, create reports, and consult with colleagues. Working from home is also an option, but I'm not really a fan of that.’

You are also a trainer. Tell me about it.

‘I give SSE courses, so that people can apply our approach themselves within their organization or with their stakeholders, and negotiation training. I still do that together with a colleague. I also coach an Indian student team online that will participate in a mediation and negotiation competition in Vienna this summer.

Giving training comes naturally to me. What I enjoy about it the most? The enthusiastic reactions of people when they realize they've learned something they can use to move forward. And I get energy from the interaction that arises between us as trainers and the group. In my free time, I occasionally perform as a comedian, and I feel that same connection there. The connection between me and the audience is like a dance, and every dance is different. That's what makes it so interesting and fun.’

What lessons have you learned this past year?

‘Asking good follow-up questions to get to the root of a request. Juggling multiple projects simultaneously. Sometimes I'm engrossed in one project when an urgent request comes in from another client. I enjoy that dynamic. Another overarching lesson I've learned is how decision-making works in the Netherlands. Whether it's about building a bridge, sustainable energy of dike reinforcement, all our clients deal with stakeholders, management, laws and regulations, and other matters that influence their work. I find it extremely interesting to gain insight into the progress of those processes.’

Sounds like a good first year for you.

‘Of course, I feel completely at home here. The work is engaging and the atmosphere is good. We're a small organization, which means short lines of communication. No one here is just a number. I truly feel like part of the team and a valued colleague.’

What don't your colleagues know about you yet?

‘I think they already know me pretty well. And what they don't know, they don't need to know, haha.’

What do you like to do in your free time?

‘Sports! I play soccer, run, and go to the gym often. Fashion is also a hobby. I think clothing is a beautiful form of expression. My style isn't flashy, but I do put a lot of thought into the combinations I wear. And I read a lot. Fiction and non-fiction.’

Recommendations?

‘Too many to list, but a small selection: ‘The Most Secret Memory of Men’ by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr. ‘The Memory Police’ by Yōko Ogawa. ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez. And not to forget ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran from 1923. That book is about a fictional prophet who talks to all sorts of people about all sorts of life issues. It is packed with valuable insights.

And two more non-fiction tips. The first is ‘Difficult Conversations’ by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen. They meticulously explain why some conversations are difficult and how to conduct them effectively. A bible for professional life and also very useful in private life. I've read it many times. The second is ‘Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics’ by Jonathan Wilson. It's about old and modern football tactics, coaching styles, and innovations in the game. Playful and only fun if you love football, I think, but I really enjoyed it.’

Last question: how do you see yourself in five years?

‘In the coming years, I want to optimally develop myself as a consultant in conflict resolution, from prevention to mediation. I want to gain an even better understanding of how conflicts work and what is needed to resolve and prevent them. My ambition is that in five years, I can say that no one is better at this than I am. And for that, I am in the best possible place here, which I see confirmed every day.’

Working at WesselinkVanZijst

We are always looking for driven professionals to join our team. You will help our clients with issues that have a significant social impact. Want to know more? Email us at info@wesselinkvanzijst.nl or get acquainted with one of Eleven people.