Jan van der Spoel is a trust expert, leadership advisor and the creator of the 360° Trust Model and 360° Trust Compass. As the founder of Grip on Trust, he helps leaders and organisations build stronger relationships by turning trust into a practical, measurable and manageable concept. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate communication and leadership advisory, Jan is widely recognised for helping organisations navigate complexity, collaboration and cultural change through the lens of trust.
Jan studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven, graduating with a diploma in Man and Information between 1994 and 1999. His design background shaped the systems-thinking approach that would later define his work on trust and leadership. Following his studies, he built a successful career as a creative director in corporate communication, working with major organisations including Unilever, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), Philips, Nutricia and Danone. During this period, he developed a growing fascination with human behaviour, relationships and the factors that drive organisational success.
After more than two decades in branding and communication, Jan shifted his focus towards leadership, behavioural science and organisational trust. Inspired by research into decision-making and human behaviour, he founded Grip on Trust in 2019 to help organisations understand, strengthen and restore trust in workplace relationships. Through his proprietary 360° Trust Model, he works as a keynote speaker, mentor, trainer and sparring partner to CEOs and leadership teams, helping them improve collaboration, leadership effectiveness and organisational culture. He delivers programmes in both English and Dutch and is known for making complex human dynamics simple and actionable.
Jan is also the author of the book 360° Trust, published in 2023, which introduces his framework for understanding and improving trust across teams, departments and leadership structures. In addition to his speaking and advisory work, he regularly publishes thought leadership articles on trust, leadership and organisational culture. As a keynote speaker, Jan combines design thinking, behavioural insights and real-world business experience to provide audiences with practical tools for building stronger relationships, more effective leadership and higher-performing organisations in an increasingly uncertain world.
