Nils I. Cornelissen
Partner & Founder
>20 years of experience in top management consulting
Psychologist, sociologist, communication scientist
Certifications for MBTI, integrative coaching, SySt structural constellations (Varga von Kibed), hypnosystemic concepts (Schmidt), mental training, psychological counseling/Gestalt work (tib), future workshops
Background
Nils Cornelissen has been working internationally for over 20 years as a strategic consultant and coach for top management, specializing in transformation and cultural change, strategic HR (e.g., people strategy, talent management, and performance management), as well as leadership and communication. His clients include international industrial, pharmaceutical, financial, mobility, and consumer goods companies, and in recent years, an increasing number of scale-ups. Nils worked for McKinsey & Company for nearly 10 years, most recently in a leadership role as a Senior Expert in McKinsey’s Global Organization Practice, and founded RETURN ON MEANING with Dr. Svea von Hehn in 2012.
Nils studied Social and Business Communication at the Berlin University of the Arts (Diploma) and Psychology and Sociology at the University of Edinburgh (M.A.). He is a certified coach and facilitator (including Integrative Coach, MBTI Step II, Future Workshops, SySt Structural Constellations, hypnosystemic concepts, mental training, and Gestalt work). Nils has published on the topics of talent management and leadership (Harvard Business Manager, Personalwirtschaft); he is a lecturer at the Calumis Academy for Business Coaching and co-author of the book “Cultural Change in Organizations.” He has appeared on several podcasts (including Making of a Coach, HR Ungeschminkt, and StarkImLeben) and is a regular keynote speaker at companies, public events, and conferences.
Nils volunteers for projects supporting social entrepreneurs (e.g., the Academy for Visionautics).
Client experience (selected examples)
Design, launch, and support of strategic cultural transformation and change processes (e.g., viral change management in pharmaceutical companies, branch-oriented change program in a bank; introduction of a new IT strategy in industrial companies; global purchasing program).
Facilitation of top team alignment processes and workshops, usually as part of a new strategy (e.g., logistics group, consumer goods manufacturer, financial services provider, energy company).
Development of fact-based people and talent management strategies (including diversity & inclusion), support for the transformation of HR departments (e.g., European media companies, various financial service providers), and implementation of individual processes.
Design and implementation of comprehensive action learning leadership programs for top executives and high-potential employees (e.g., top 600 of an international consumer goods manufacturer, country managers of a global pharmaceutical company, junior executives of Eastern European consumer goods manufacturers).
Support for idea generation processes, development of innovation strategies, and establishment of an
Innovation Academy (chemical company).
Conducting training courses, particularly on coaching, leadership, effective communication, and change.
Keynote speaker on topics such as cultural change, transformation, change, leadership, and mindsets in a corporate context.