Our Mission
To unlock the human potential that drives top performances.
We bridge the gap between character and high-stakes success, providing the clarity teams need to thrive under pressure.
The Founders
Who we are
Carla Smits-Nusteling
Founder
The most important lesson from my youth? You create impact by inventing different, better ways to reach goals. Even a small annual improvement makes a big difference. As a hockey player, I perfected new techniques. I brought that same drive to KPN, where I set up a successful 'best in finance' program that turned many participants into CFOs, while having fun! My experience as a top non-executive board member at companies like ASML, Nokia, TELE2, and CVC taught me how to see and lead teams under immense pressure.
This is a lesson I also applied in my volunteer work at KZ, where we transformed teams from 67th place to national champions. We did this by linking personality data to field roles; for example, the bravest player became the runner for a penalty corner, not the fastest. My time in elite sports and boardrooms intrigued me to solve why one team performs much better than another. What makes the difference? PeakPersonality is the answer!
Inge van Zuiden
Founder
Throughout my career at Rabobank, I led diverse high-stakes teams where performance is paramount—from commercial Private Banking divisions to highly analytical teams of IT architects. Yet it was my lifelong fascination with sport and the story behind each athlete that gave me a unique lens to see what truly drives success: the human factor.
In both the corporate world and on the sports field, I saw how the most brilliant professionals could be limited by unseen team dynamics and the immense pressure to perform. This observation became a professional journey. To deepen my practical experience, I complemented my background in Law and Financial Planning with rigorous training in the methodologies that drive real change, specializing in systemic dynamics and the tools for cultural transformation.
My mission and what truly drives me is to use this integrated expertise to make a genuine impact. I am driven by the challenge of building strong, resilient teams and helping leaders unlock the full potential of their people, turning pressure into their greatest asset.
Tex Ruskamp
Founder
My world has always been a blend of two passions: the structured, analytical thinking from my engineering background and the dynamic, high-stakes environment of elite football. In both arenas, I saw a recurring puzzle: the gap between a team's potential on paper and their actual performance when it mattered most. The missing variable wasn't skill or strategy—it was character.
As an engineer, I was driven to quantify this. I grew frustrated with the subjective language used to describe team dynamics and knew there had to be a way to build a system that could objectively map these human factors. At PeakPersonality, I architect the engine that brings this vision to life, translating nuanced psychological data into a clear, intuitive digital experience. My mission is to visualise the art of team building and turn it into a science that empowers anyone to unlock their full potential.
Our Story
Why does one person thrive under pressure - and another doesn't?
Ten years ago, we started with that one big question. What is that missing puzzle piece, and can it be developed?
We found the answer. Character.
At PeakPersonality, we believe people make the difference, not when things are easy, but in high-pressure moments. We help individuals and teams perform at their best when it counts, because when people are in their strength, performance, wellbeing, and collaboration improve.
Our expertise spans boardrooms, tech, and elite sports. Real growth starts with insights that accelerate development, using tools like Reset Strengths and Performance Strengths to maintain balance and effectively manage pressure.
Our Principles
The Pillars of Our Approach
Pragmatic
Theory is for the classroom. We provide a practical blueprint, connecting core character traits directly to an individual's actual performance in high-stakes environments. Our insights are designed to be used, not just reviewed.
Rock-Solid
Grounded in positive psychology and validated over years of research in high-stakes environments, our methodology is systematic and scientifically validated. We operate with rock-solid reliablity in our business always striving for excellence in everything we do.
Innovative
We don’t just process data; we reveal new dimensions of potential. We make the invisible drivers of performance, such as character, synergy, and mindset, visible and measurable, empowering you to make strategic decisions with clarity.
Committed
Our relationship is a partnership, not a transaction. We are deeply committed to your long-term success, providing a continuous roadmap for growth and equipping your team with the tools to achieve and sustain peak performance.
Proof in Performance
Validating the Impact of Character
-
76%
Of employees report feeling stressed at work
-
only 23%
of employees felt they were thriving at work in 2023
-
10x
A weak culture is 10x more likely to cause turnover than compensation
-
50-75%
of recruitments dissapoint
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2/3
of employees accept a position that is not aligned with their strengths
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46%
of executives fail within 18 months