The 5 lifestyles of Linda Struelens
Linda Struelens has passionately led EVA bxl as coordinator for 21 years. She can look back with pride on the many fine accomplishments that each time helped to advance the lives and well-being of many Brussels residents. Through her indignation and creativity, she tackled things in a concrete way. Afraid of change? Certainly not, because without change there is no innovation and progress. Linda’s wisdom is in the DNA of EVA bxl. That’s for sure! Yet we asked her to pass on 5 life lessons to EVA bxl.
1. Be indignant – Go for it and be involved 😮
‘Dare to be indignant, without becoming fatalistic. There are so many services, systems, self-evident things that do not match what Brussels people really need to. The question is not how people should adapt to our services and systems that we once devised and were once convinced were the best service. The question is how can we make systems and services so that they are accessible to all Brussels people, that Brussels people recognize themselves in them, like to use them, find them worthwhile.’ ‘It’s good to keep seeing that, to keep hearing that, to keep saying “incredible”. But it has to go further. Indignation without working for actual change leads to negativism. And working for change generates energy, not only in yourself but in everyone involved.
There is no development without outrage.
And there is no innovation without systemic change.’
2. Be driven by respect and dare to question yourself ❔💭
“I have tried in my career to be respectful of my colleagues, of the people I have led. I have tried in my career to question myself. What is my part? What can I do differently, or what should I have done differently? I have tried to treat others as I would want others to treat me. No rancor, sincere and honest … because at night I want to be able to look myself in the mirror. I’ve succeeded, but sometimes I haven’t. Daring to admit and recognize also allows you to restart even after difficult moments. And making difficult decisions and delivering tough messages is sometimes also part of leading, but never without that fundamental respect.’
3. Believe in people’s talents and invest in people 🙌
‘Maybe that’s why I stayed with EVA bxl for so long. When I was in my last year of high school in 1975, there was no question at all of continuing my studies. My parents didn’t have the means for that either. I did have the good fortune in my career to meet people who saw that I could do something and those people challenged me. When I was pregnant with Alewijn, I started as a side hustler to get a degree for the time being and combined that with working part-time and raising the kids. I said several times that I loved working at EVA bxl because EVA bxl and through the development of the different projects I had the opportunity to learn a lot. There were so many things that I did not know, new sector, a new regulation, but needed. So I was constantly challenged to learn and to relearn.’
4. Forge alliances 🤝
‘Being scared or feeling threatened is bad advice. Knowing well yourself what you want and don’t want is the best basis for building bridges, for forging alliances, and is the best guarantee for entering into partnerships that are more than the sum of the different ones.’
5. Don’t be afraid of change 💯
‘I led EVA in my way, a way that suited my style and my being. Everyone has their style, their way, their approach … before change, there is room for progress. Or rather there is no progress without change.’