Marten ten Kleij

Working with boards and executives at the intersection of leadership, strategy and governance.

Baarn, Utrecht, Nederland

About

At board and executive level, organizations rarely need more plans. What they need are sharper choices, aligned leadership, and the courage to act when the path forward is not yet fully clear. Much of the work I do sits exactly there: at moments where strategy, governance and leadership need to evolve to meet what’s next. Much of the work I do sits exactly there: at points where strategy, governance and leadership need to evolve to meet what’s next. My work typically takes place at board and executive level, supporting organizations as they navigate transitions, strategic shifts or periods of heightened complexity. Whether in an advisory role or closer to line responsibility, it means reshaping governance and leadership dynamics or at other times it involves helping boards and leadership teams regain focus, alignment and forward movement. The common thread is creating the conditions in which organizations are able to lead themselves effectively. A calm, attentive presence allows space for reflection, while I never avoid stepping forward when leadership is required. Influence does not come from visibility for its own sake, but from asking the right questions, structuring what feels ambiguous, and making the underlying patterns visible, including the informal dynamics that shape how leadership actually works. This creates space for clearer direction, stronger alignment and decisions that hold under pressure. Organizations value the combination of strategic clarity, human and relational sensitivity, execution come together in my work. Different perspectives are actively brought into the conversation, without losing focus, and difficult conversations are not postponed when they matter most. It is not about producing the right answers, but about strengthening leadership and governance that function in real life, not only on paper, day by day.

Experience