What is a life worth living?

I am not going to answer that question for you, just let the question sink in. As a stage 4 cancer survivor, for me a life worth living is leaving the world a better place then I found it. Mostly by emphasising the importance of bringing a message of powerful kindness into the world.

How can I do this in my professional and personal life?

As a Quality Manager and Operational Excellence Lead at a group of BMW dealerships, BMW Gregoir, I combine my skills and experience as a business owner, manager, coach and leader to synchronise the high BMW standards with a welcoming work environment so that all employees perform at their highest level with great sense of well-being.

As a Writer, I hope to leave a positive legacy with 'The Path of Powerful Kindness' where I offer insights on how we can restore the balance in reconnecting Power with Kindness and provide a pragmatic approach to becoming an agent of transformation on a micro and macro level through advocating Powerful Kindness.

As a Personal Mentor, I support individuals around the world and empower them to create a positive impact in the world by living and leading with powerful kindness. Based on my experiences and expertises during my 30+ year career.

As a Public Speaker, I share my Story of Overcoming Challenges (stage 4 cancer at 32 - almost bankruptcy at 46) and How It Turned Me Into A Stronger and More Compassionate Human Being.

As a Human, I bring my expertise, experience and desire for real impact at service of Professional Women International-Brussels. At PWI-Brussels we actively empower women in their personal and professional growth and we fiercely advocate gender balanced leadership.

I enjoy the distinction of featuring as #1 of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders & Influencers on Mental Health by Thinkers360 since 2021.

My writings are published in The Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and many others. I was featured as a guest expert at many summits and as a participant and expert speaker at numerous conferences and universities in the fields of compassionate leadership, kindness@work and women empowerment. In July 2022, I gave a talk ‘The Path of Powerful Kindness’ at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and last October at WYSS (World Young Scientists Summit) in Brussels.

💻 More info: www.barbaravercruysse.com
🖥 Email me: vercruysse.barbara@telenet.be

✨ Celebrating Women, Leadership, and Meaningful Change! ✨

Every step we take toward gender-balanced leadership is a step toward a more inclusive, innovative, and empowered world. And I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a community that actively contributes to this change!

On March 7th, 2026, Professional Women International Brussels (PWI Brussels) will host its International Women’s Day Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, resilience, and the power of collective action. This event is not just another gathering—it’s a platform to spark conversations that drive real change.

A particularly meaningful edition as we celebrate:
✨ 35 years of Professional Women International Brussels (PWI Brussels)
✨ 30 years of our global network, PWN Global

One of the highlights of the evening?
Two exceptional keynote voices, each embodying leadership with vision, courage, and responsibility:
🔹 An Nuyttens
President at Solvay (GBU Silica & Special Chem), An is a highly respected executive leader with an international track record in strategy, transformation, and organisational leadership. She represents modern, values-driven leadership — grounded in long-term vision, responsibility, and impact.
🔹 Viviane Reding
Former Vice-President of the European Commission and three-time European Commissioner, Viviane is a pioneering figure in European leadership and a lifelong advocate for gender equality and fundamental rights. Her work has opened doors for women in decision-making across Europe — and far beyond.

This Gala is both a celebration of legacy and a forward-looking moment — reflecting on progress made, and reaffirming why women’s leadership and decision-making power remain essential in today’s complex world.

 Join us for an evening of inspiration, connection, and impact.
 👉 Register here at early bird rate: https://lnkd.in/eGANU77F

I truly look forward to sharing this special evening with you.

#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026
 #WomenInLeadership #ValuesDrivenLeadership
 #PWI35Years #PWNGlobal30Years
 #LeadershipWithImpact

Barbara Vercruysse

LEADERS & FUTURE LEADERS if you are ready to:
► Increase your positive impact in the world…
► Become a highly respected thought leader in your field…

ENTREPRENEURS, CORPORATE LEADERS & BUSINESS OWNERS if you are ready to:
► Build your confidence and resilience facing the storms of life…
► Find the perfect inner balance and peace in a hectic life…
► Go through life with grace and ease as a holistic human being

EVENT ORGANIZERS, GROUPS, COMPANIES if you are looking for an expert keynote speaker in the fields of:
► Powerful Kindness as an Essential Part of the Culture in your Organisation
► How Powerful Kindness is the Path to a Better Future for Humanity
► Empowering through Kindness and Compassion 

🖥 Email me: vercruysse.barbara@telenet.be

What is a life worth living?

I am not going to answer that question for you, just let the question sink in. 
As a stage 4 cancer survivor, for me a life worth living is leaving the world a better place then I found it. Mostly by emphasising the importance of bringing a powerful kindness into the world.

Let me introduce myself, I am Barbara,
Founder of the ‘BV Empowerment & Kindness Institute’, internationally recognized Business & Personal Growth Coach, as well as a Mental Health Thought Leader and Public Speaker.

I support individuals around the world in leading a fulfilled life, creating a positive impact in the world by living and leading with love. Also do I bring a message of powerful kindness into organisations and corporations because I am convinced that the world is in desperate need of more kindness and compassion. 

One of my biggest clients is a group of BMW dealerships, as a Quality Manager and HR/Soft Skills Responsible at BMW Peter Daeninck, I combine my skills and experience as a business owner, manager, coach and leader to synchronize the high BMW standards with a welcoming work environment so that all employees perform at their highest level with great sense of well-being.

I enjoy the distinction of featuring as #1 of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders & Influencers on Mental Health by Thinkers360 in 2021 and 2022.

My writings are published in The Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and many others. I was featured as a guest expert at many summits and as a participant and expert speaker at numerous conferences in the fields of compassionate leadership, kindness@work and women empowerment. In July 2022, I gave a talk ‘The Path of Powerful Kindness’ at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Global Kindness Advocate | Quality & Customer Experience Lead at BMW Gregoir Group | President PWI Brussels | International Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author | Top 10 Thought Leaders on Mental Health

Travel does something subtle yet profound to us.

Being in China these past weeks reminded me how powerful it is to step outside our familiar frames. When we observe how other cultures and societies function — their rhythms, habits, ways of working and relating — something gently loosens inside us. Our own assumptions are questioned. Our “this is how it’s done” becomes wider, more nuanced, more humble.

Distance also brings clarity. Stepping away from our daily routines, meetings, and narratives creates space. Space to see patterns we were too close to notice. Space for new insights to surface. Often, it’s not about adding more — but about removing the mental cobwebs that quietly build up over time.

And then there is the greatest gift of all: sharing these moments with family. Traveling together, watching our children navigate new environments, cultures, and challenges with curiosity and resilience — it is both grounding and deeply inspiring. It reminds me how much we keep learning from one another, at every stage of life.

That gratitude comes with a touch of bittersweetness. Saying goodbye to both Jean-Baptiste as he heads off on his Erasmus adventure in Istanbul, and to Eugenie as she returns to Shanghai to finish her semester, is a reminder that love often means letting go — with trust, pride, and an open heart.

We returned with recharged batteries, lighter minds, and fuller hearts. More ideas. More presence. And a renewed sense that leadership — just like life — grows richer when we dare to look beyond our own borders.

Grateful for this journey, and for what it continues to teach me. 🌏

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
⠀
Last week on the Equality Mansplained podcast, we had an honest and much-needed conversation about why 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 and 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 are not “nice to have” — they are essential.
⠀
It’s one thing to say not every man is a perpetrator.
It’s quite another to ask: 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
That question sits at the heart of the current Flemish public debate — and of this conversation.
⠀
The statistics are stark. Many girls and women experience sexual harassment and intimidation, often from a very young age. This reminds us that 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 — it is lived, felt, and too often brushed off.
⠀
During the episode, we spoke openly about 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 and, crucially, about the role of 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 in shaping how boys grow into men.
⠀
If we truly want to move the needle on harassment, intimidation, and inequality, we must stop treating this as a women-only conversation.
𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠.
⠀
What they see — at home, at school, at work, and in leadership — defines what they come to believe is acceptable.
⠀
One insight from our discussion stayed with me:
“𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩 — 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.”
⠀
That’s why 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 matters so deeply.
Not as a label, but as a 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: calling out harmful behaviour, modelling emotional maturity, and redefining strength as 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭.
⠀
This belief is exactly why, at Professional Women International Brussels (PWI Brussels), we previously launched the 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 together with Robert Baker — creating a space where men could reflect, learn, and step more consciously into their role as allies.
⠀
And it’s also why we 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, to further amplify this message and bring more men into the conversation — thoughtfully, constructively, and with courage.
⠀
I’m deeply grateful to Daniel Friedlaender and Georgia Mourad Brooks for creating such a thoughtful and brave space for this dialogue — and to Robert Baker for his consistent and principled advocacy. These are the kinds of male voices we need to hear and see.
⠀
This conversation matters — not just for today’s debate, but for the generations growing up right now.

#maleallyship #engagingmen

Teg MALLA, DBA, MSocSc (NPM) - Chrysanthi Vazitari, PCC - Ozana Popescu

We set the standard for our lives.
We determine the quality of our experiences.

We are responsible for what we allow into our minds.
Do we fill them with drama, negativity, and gossip?
Or do we consciously nourish them with positivity, beauty, and meaningful ideas?

We are responsible for our conversations.
Do we dwell on complaints and speak from scarcity?
Or do we uplift, focus on what truly matters, and recognize the limitless possibilities before us?

We are responsible for the people we surround ourselves with.
Do we tolerate toxic and draining influences?
Or do we honor ourselves enough to set boundaries and cultivate a circle rooted in support, growth, and encouragement?

These choices matter.
They quietly—but powerfully—shape our reality.

Much love,
Barbara

#choices #qualityoflife
#youoweittoyourself #barbaravercruysse

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