For web developer and coach Thomas, every day is D-day. Give him a project and he will consistently give it his absolute best. But don’t be misled: despite his fascination with World War II, he is a Heart Hunter through and through. We are proud to introduce this Expliciet veteran to you.
Eight years ago, Thomas first knocked on our door. It wasn’t successful then, but that first meeting clearly left an impression. ‘A while after my application, I received a call from Jan and Maarten with a proposal. Coincidentally, it was on my very last day at my previous employer. It turned out to be pure coincidence, but I didn’t hesitate and joined Expliciet immediately.’
Today, Thomas is—despite being only 30—one of our ‘oldest’ veterans. For several years now, he has been translating his experiences and insights into his role as a coach for his team. ‘As web developers, it’s our job to make the graphic designers’ website designs interactive, ensuring the websites deliver maximum conversions for our clients. As a coach, my job is completely different: the individual within the team is important, but so is the collaboration with other teams within the company. Maintaining the right balance is therefore crucial.’
Yet Thomas sees a common thread through it all. ‘As long as the problem isn’t clear, you can’t propose a clear solution. It is therefore extremely important that everyone understands the context before we can tackle the problem together.’
‘What I especially love about our job is that we get to think both creatively and insightfully. We are nowhere near the IT guys many people mistake us for. We master and apply the languages that take websites to the next level. We hardly ever deal with ones and zeros.’
Besides a passion for the web, Thomas also regularly travels back to the past. You wouldn’t want to run into him during a WWII quiz. However, he gets most of his energy from nature.
‘Outside of work, you’ll mostly find me close to my family or near wood. Either in the woods, walking or running with my border collie Basiel, or behind the woodworking machines. Not too long ago, I threw myself into outdoor joinery. Garden sheds, patio covers, Basiel’s new doghouse… I love being able to work with my hands in total freedom and pulling the plug at the end of the day feeling tired but satisfied.’
How do you want to continue excelling in your expertise as a web developer and team coach?
‘To me, expertise is the art of sharing good ideas as a team and linking the necessary actions to them. Of course, we also keep a close eye on the rest of the market and realize that automation will play an increasingly large role in our job. It’s up to us to harness all those elements in the right way.’
What tip do you have for clients looking for a next-level marketing approach?
‘If we want to get to know and understand a company and its employees down to their DNA, there must be mutual trust. Established viewpoints must step aside for a moment to clearly define shared goals and wishes. Only when that trust is fully there is understanding possible at the deepest level, and only then can we get the most out of the collaboration on our end.’
What makes you a unique Heart Hunter at Expliciet?
‘I think my colleagues see me as a quieter person, but also as someone who dares to give their opinion openly and honestly. Always in a respectful way, but without beating around the bush. By nature, I might be slightly less empathetic, but I have grown in that area year after year at Expliciet. Every Heart Hunter here has their own kind of spontaneity, which makes it very pleasant to have a chat without hesitation, but also to achieve great results together.’