Norman de Langen – Norway
Norman de Langen (51) is the principal of an innovative primary school in Tilburg (De Borne) and a passionate education professional. He is known as a team player and connector with a sharp sense of what children need. In addition to his intensive role, he gets energy from starting early at school, where he sees children enter with a smile and leave happily at the end of the day. Outside of school, he spends his free time on his passion as an archivist for the band UB40.
During an annual development meeting, Norman, then almost fifty, jokingly remarked that every principal should go on a journey at least once. This turned out not to be just a joke; Norman was actually encouraged to join an FNL trail. Despite his initial doubts about the short timeframe, he decided to take the step. He ultimately chose Norway because of the timing and because the facilitators saw that, with his adventurous character, Norman was a perfect fit for the Norwegian challenge.
His original question was about dealing with the expectations of others: “How can I worry less about what others think of me?” This was especially relevant to him because he had moved from a team to a leadership position.
Norman calls Norwegian nature “the most beautiful nature I have ever seen.” He describes the landscape poetically and in detail: “A white sheet, as far as you can see. Now and then, animal tracks appear. The trees look so much greener against all that white, especially when the sun shines on them. I have never felt happier in nature than I did there. Even on a cloudy day, it’s beautiful. Nothing is as majestic as that white infinity. You feel like a very small person amidst the grandeur of the world.”
During the trail, Norman quickly discovered that his original question was not the real issue. He realized that he struggled with asking for help and showing vulnerability. A powerful moment occurred when he was able to process the loss of his mother in the middle of a Norwegian plain. “I said, ‘Mom, I can’t keep that promise,’ and then the sun broke through. That felt like the sign I needed.”
The use of the ‘talking stick’ during the conversations made a great impression on Norman. It gave him space and safety to be vulnerable and to reach real insights.
Norway was more than a leadership program. It became a profound personal development journey in which Norman learned that asking for help is actually a sign of strength. He also discovered how important silence and music are to him. “Since the trail, I no longer believe in coincidence, this was meant to be.”
Norman participated in the trail through the FNL Scholarship Fund, which helps people from the social sector to take part in trails. “Actually, this is a program for the business world, but with such a fund, people from the social domain can also participate. That’s a gift,” Norman explains. He emphasizes how valuable it was to exchange experiences with people from completely different sectors. “From people in business, I learned how intensively they are held accountable for targets. They learned from me how to get a group moving. In the end, we all saw that every small step you take makes a difference in the long run.”
The trail brought lasting changes for Norman. He now consciously schedules moments of rest into his calendar every day. “I used to feel guilty about taking an hour for a walk, now I see it as part of my job.” He starts his workday more calmly and with more attention to himself and others. “My colleagues notice that I have changed, and I feel calmer and stronger in my role.”
Norman concludes powerfully with his core experience: “I tell everyone who wants to hear it: Norway was truly a life changer for me.”
