Roel De Spiegeleer

People make the difference, even in a technology environment. Especially when they work together based on trust.

After more than a decade as IT Director at CM, Roel De Spiegeleer recently took the leap and became the new IT Director at P&V Group Insurance. This award candidate for the ICT & Digital Coach of the Year believes in the power of close collaboration between business and IT and sees it as his job to help develop talent.

What does inspirational and coaching leadership mean to Roel De Spiegeleer?

“Where people and technology come together, people make the difference. That’s why I foster a culture of collaboration, trust and empowerment. Moreover, I believe it’s my responsibility to nurture talent, to let them grow and to create an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to further develop.”

“Talented people and efficient processes alone won’t get you there. Teams should be aligned with the organization’s goals, strategic objectives and the needs of the final client. When all coworkers move in the same direction, with a clear understanding of the bigger picture, then the organization achieves synergy and breakthroughs occur.”

“As an IT Director, the challenge is to get everyone on board in an everchanging environment, with new ways of working, different skills, functions that are disappearing and new ones that are emerging. I work to foster a culture of learning, experimentation and feedback. In this way, our teams always stay ahead when it comes to reaching new heights while instilling the right values for the clients.”

What personal achievements is he most proud of?

“I managed to build a true agile organization, in which business and IT work together as one team. An organization that has reached a high level of maturity in the last two years. Each of the more than 600 IT professionals is given the opportunity to use their strengths and to take responsibility. In this way, together they realize that added value for the diverse clients.”

“I was able to grow in my career because I gained a lot of trust from leaders in the industry. I learned to seize opportunities and take on risks. That’s why I now coach my own team members in the same way: with sincere faith in each person, I challenge them to be creative and resourceful and to dare to take responsibility.”