Choose Work

Femke Hovinga (37) is a social entrepreneur, speaker and researcher specialising in giftedness. She is the founder & director of SCALIQ, a psychometric research and development institute, and the founder & managing director of Talentissimo,an expertise center focused on giftedness.In this episode, Femke shares her own journey through education and work as a gifted person, including the challenges she experienced. She also talks about her mission to improve the lives of gifted individuals and the story behind SCALIQ’s development of IQ tests designed to measure scores from 105 to 170.*TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction01:40 Meet Femke Hovinga: social entrepreneur, speaker and researcher specialising in giftedness02:10 Growing up gifted: “I felt different, like the odd one out.”05:20 From struggling at school to a promise at age 6 to make things better for gifted people06:20 Being identified as gifted at age 6: Understanding why she felt different12:30 What gifted children need to thrive: being seen, accepted & finding peers24:20 Understanding IQ differences & the “odd one out within the odd ones out”27:30 Why she founded SCALIQ: Developing IQ tests up to 170 & what makes the KIQT+ and VIQT+ different 29:50 What does it mean to norm & validate an IQ test?37:40 Why self-funding SCALIQ? 41:00 Why identifying giftedness is not a luxury but a necessity49:45 Should you retake an IQ test? 01:00:00 Femke’s vision for the future01:02:30 “Be the person you needed when you were younger” — Femke’s message01:04:05 How to get in touch with Femke & learn more about her work*References:- KIQT+ from ages 5-10: https://scaliq.com/en/the-kiqt-2/- VIQT+ from ages 11-70, including call for participants for norming process: https://scaliq.com/viqt/ (in Dutch)- KIQT+ white paper: https://scaliq.com/en/kiqt-whitepaper-en/- Study: (Un)identified. Study into predictive factors in the identification process of (presumably) gifted learners and/or children with a developmental advantage by school and parents: https://scaliq.com/en/unidentified/ - How the scoring of KIQT+ works: https://scaliq.com/maar-3-subtesten/ (in Dutch)- Why a separate IQ test for (highly) gifted people: https://scaliq.com/waarom-een-speciale-test-voor-hoogbegaafden/ (in Dutch)- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)- Dr. James T. Webb*Support the podcast:- If you enjoy Choose Work, you can support it with a small voluntary contribution (even the price of a coffee) via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/choosework*Contact Femke Hovinga & learn more about her work:- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/femkehovinga/- SCALIQ: https://scaliq.com/en/scaliq-bovengemiddelde-iq-testen-english/- Talentissimo: https://www.talentissimo.eu/*For feedback or suggestions for topics or guests, email me at [email protected] Contact Heidi - Coach • Expert in Giftedness • Mindfulness Teacher:- Book a free discovery call at ⁠heididelanghe.com/contact⁠- Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/heididelanghe⁠- Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/heididelanghe.coaching/*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. The conversations are intended for informational purposes and do not constitute professional, psychological, or career advice.

Frans Corten (63) is a career coach who has worked with gifted adults for more than 25 years. He is also the author of Exceptional Talent: A Guide for the Gifted, the Inventors and Other Birds of a Rare Feather, and has co-authored several articles on giftedness in the workplace.In this episode, Frans shares his personal story as a highly gifted person, including his experience of discovering that he is gay at 18. He reflects on (high) giftedness, the parallels between the emancipation process of gifted people and that of the gay community, identity, authenticity, career detours, autonomy, and finding — and creating — your own path.*TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction 01:40 Meet Frans Corten: career coach for (highly) gifted adults and author03:44 Growing up highly gifted: “For me, it's not interesting at all. It’s Just How I Am.”11:35 Discovering he is gay at 18: "My life started after that moment."14:50 The emancipation process of gifted people & parallels with that of the gay community23:20 Profiling yourself and tuning in to others26:30 How gifted people can blossom: Focus on what you like to do.29:20 “Sometimes the Shortest Way Is a Detour” — Rethinking Career Choices32:00 Autonomy, self-employment & giftedness in the workplace36:40 The story behind his book Exceptional Talent40:30 High Giftedness: indicators, complicated childhoods & making meaning of your past46:30 “Don’t adapt, tune in” — Authenticity, finding your peers & letting yourself shine54:40 Who is Exceptional Talent for? Helping gifted people build better careers55:50 “Dare” — Creating your own path & following your heart57:10 Where to learn more bbout Frans Corten and his book*References- Nauta, N., & Corten, F. (2002). Gifted Adults in Work. Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319068968_Gifted_adults_in_work- Transformation Game: https://innerlinks.com/- Choose Work episodes #2 and #12 with Dr Noks Nauta  - Mensa: www.mensa.org- Triple Nine Society (TNS): www.triplenine.org- Rianne van de Ven*Support the podcast- If you enjoy Choose Work, you can support it with a small voluntary contribution (even the price of a coffee) via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/choosework*Frans Corten and his book:- Website: https://uitzonderlijktalent.nl/ (Dutch) + http://exceptionaltalent.eu/ (English)- Book: Exceptional Talent: A guide for the gifted, the inventors and other birds of a rare feather*For show notes, please visit ⁠heididelanghe.com/podcast⁠For feedback or suggestions for topics or guests, email me at [email protected] Contact Heidi - Coach • Expert in Giftedness • Mindfulness Teacher:- Book a free discovery call at ⁠heididelanghe.com/contact⁠- Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/heididelanghe⁠- Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/heididelanghe.coaching/*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. The conversations are intended for informational purposes and do not constitute professional, psychological, or career advice.

As part of the English-language series on giftedness in the workplace, I’m joined by Dr. Noks Nauta (78) — non-practising medical doctor, psychologist, author, and pioneer of adult giftedness research.Noks only discovered she is highly gifted (IQ 145+) at the age of 52 through a conflict in the workplace. What began as a personal discovery evolved into a lifelong mission: making the world a better place for gifted adults and seniors. She is also a co-founder of the Gifted Adults Foundation (IHBV) in the Netherlands — the world’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to gifted adults.This episode explores 10 key things to know about high giftedness, and practical tips to obtain your highly gifted person’s driver's license.*TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction 01:25 Meet Dr. Noks Nauta 03:40 What does highly gifted (IQ 145+) actually mean? 11:00 Finding your tribe: Mensa, Triple Nine Society, International Society for Philosophical Enquiry & (highly) gifted cafés 26:35 High giftedness: characteristics, the Delphi Model of Giftedness & performance30:18 Parenting highly gifted children 41:45 Why giftedness is still a taboo 43:35 Mental health, caregivers, and self-compassion 50:30 The Highly Gifted Person's Driver's License 55:20 “Don’t say the G-word.” Talk about your characteristics and needs.01:06:00 "It's not a sexy topic." Adult giftedness research & the future of the field01:11:48 Giftedness and neurodiversity 01:15:55 Books, resources & where to learn more01:20:00 Where to learn more about Dr. Noks Nauta and her work*References:- Mensa: www.mensa.org- Triple Nine Society (TNS): www.triplenine.org- International Society for Philosophical Enquiry (ISPE): www.thethousand.com- High Giftedness Expertise Group (HGEG): https://highgiftedness.org- Wiki about high giftedness: https://highgiftedness.org/wiki/index.php/Hoofdpagina- Gifted Adults Foundation (Dutch: Instituut Hoogbegaafdheid Volwassenen (IHBV)) website: https://ihbv.nl/- Gifted Adults Foundation leaflets: https://ihbv.nl/leaflets-english/ (English) + https://ihbv.nl/leaflets/ (Dutch) + https://ihbv.nl/leaflets-deutsch/ (German)- (Highly) gifted cafes (Dutch: (zeer) HB-café) of the Gifted Adults Foundation: https://hb-cafe.ihbv.nl/- Delphi Model of Giftedness: https://www.oya.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/190702-article-Delphi-Model-of-Giftedness-ADJ-reprint.pdf (English) + https://www.oya.nl/producten/delphikaart/ (Dutch) - Choose Work episode 11 about the Delphi Model ofGiftedness explained- Blog. The Other Side of the Concept of Neurodiversity/Neurodivergence. Dr. Noks Nauta: www.mensafoundation.org/the-other-side-of-the-concept-of-neurodiversity-neurodivergence/ (English)- Documentary. RISE. Susan Jackson.- DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)- SCALIQ: https://scaliq.com/en/scaliq-bovengemiddelde-iq-testen-english/- Rianne van de Ven- Dr. Allen Frances- Amy Beach- Anna Maria van Schurman- Hildegard von Bingen*Support the podcast:- If you enjoy Choose Work, you can support it with a small voluntary contribution (even the price of a coffee) via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/choosework*Contact Dr. Noks Nauta & learn more about her work:- Website: www.noksnauta.nl- Blog: noksnauta.wordpress.com- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/noksnauta *For show notes, please visit ⁠heididelanghe.com/podcast⁠For feedback or suggestions for topics or guests, email me at [email protected] Contact Heidi - Coach • Expert in Giftedness • Mindfulness Teacher:- Book a free discovery call at ⁠heididelanghe.com/contact⁠- Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/heididelanghe⁠- Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/heididelanghe.coaching/*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. The conversations are intended for informational purposes and do notconstitute professional, psychological, or career advice.

What happens when you spend decades feeling like the odd one out — too intense, too much — only to discover through your child that you are gifted?In this English-language episode, I’m joined by Pauline Coret, Director of the Gifted Adults Foundation (IHBV) — the world’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to gifted adults. Alongside her work with the foundation, Pauline is a certified Career Professional and Core Talents Analyst.Together, we explore Pauline’s personal journey as a gifted adult, the mission and impact of the Gifted Adults Foundation, and the Delphi Model of Giftedness. Pauline also shares how she recognises the model’s characteristics in her own life and work.* TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Choose Work01:28 Meet Pauline Coret: certified career professional and director of the Gifted Adults Foundation03:10 Growing up gifted without knowing it05:40 School, underperforming on purpose, and learning to fit in08:40 University, failure, and finding work09:10 Fifteen years in insurance: boredom and job-hopping11:20 Feeling like the odd one out at work15:20 Why every job became boring 17:20 Workplace conflict and burnout18:02 Discoverying her son's giftedness and the book that dropped like a bomb19:40 Pauline's IQ score of 142 and a complete shift in self-understanding23:40 Finding peers through the Gifted Adults Foundation and Gifted Cafes25:20 Leaving insurance and starting her own business27:10 Entrepreneurship, autonomy, and finding work that finally fits30:24 The Gifted Adults Foundation: mission, research, community, international ambitions34:30 How to start a Gifted Cafe in your own country35:55 The Delphi Model of Giftedness explained40:09 Why most giftedness models don't work well for adults41:34 Applying the Delphi Model to Pauline's own life53:30 What Pauline still wants to achieve — and her dream for the Foundation 54:39 Where to find Pauline and the Gifted Adults Foundation*References:- Book: Hoogbegaafd: als je kind (g)een Einstein is. Tessa Kieboom.- Gifted Adults Foundation (Dutch: Instituut Hoogbegaafdheid Volwassenen (IHBV)) website: https://ihbv.nl/- Gifted Adults Foundation leaflets: https://ihbv.nl/leaflets-english/ (English) + https://ihbv.nl/leaflets/ (Dutch) + https://ihbv.nl/leaflets-deutsch/ (German)- Gifted Adults Foundation gifted cafes (Dutch: HB-Cafés): https://hb-cafe.ihbv.nl/- IHBV Facebook: www.facebook.com/InstituutHBVolwassenen/- IHBV Instagram: www.instagram.com/stichtingihbv/- IHBV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ihbv-instituut-hoogbegaafdheid-volwassenen- Delphi Model of Giftedness: www.oya.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/190702-article-Delphi-Model-of-Giftedness-ADJ-reprint.pdf (English) + https://www.oya.nl/producten/delphikaart/ (Dutch) - Dr. Matt Zakreski*Support the podcast:- If you enjoy Choose Work, you can support it with a small voluntary contribution (even the price of a coffee) via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/choosework*Contact Pauline Coret:- Website: www.watzijnmijnkerntalenten.nl/ - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-coret-08002810/ - Instagram: www.instagram.com/pauline_kernkompas/*For show notes, please visit ⁠heididelanghe.com/podcast⁠For feedback or suggestions for topics or guests, email me at [email protected] Contact Heidi - Career & Leadership Coach • Expert in Giftedness • Mindfulness Teacher:- Book a free discovery call at ⁠heididelanghe.com/contact⁠- Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/heididelanghe⁠- Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/heididelanghe.coaching/*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. The conversations are intended for informational purposes and do notconstitute professional, psychological, or career advice.

How do you navigate career transitions when things feel uncertain and uncomfortable?In this episode in English, I’m joined by Dr. Rachael Skews — behavioural scientist, psychologist, coach, and internationally recognised expert in Acceptance & Commitment Coaching. We take a deep dive into career transitions and psychological flexibility & ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy),exploring why uncertainty, fear, impostor thoughts, and self-doubt often show up when our work really matters — and how ACT can help us move forward.* TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Choose Work01:05 Career transitions, psychological flexibility, and why this episode matters01:30 Meet Dr. Rachael Skews and her work in Acceptance & Commitment Coaching03:10 What Acceptance & Commitment Coaching really is (and what it isn’t)06:45 Impostor thoughts, self-doubt, and why high performers experience them08:30 Why the goal isn’t to get rid of difficult thoughts and feelings10:30 Rachael’s non-linear career journey: consultancy, academia, health tech, and entrepreneurship15:10 Moving from academia to Headspace and working in behavioural science18:10 Entrepreneurship, uncertainty, and psychological flexibility as a resource20:00 Rest, recovery, and treating yourself like an elite performer22:20 Self-criticism, overworking, and building self-compassion at work23:40 Redundancy, career inflection points, and conscious career choice25:10 Starting a business: loneliness, creativity, and stepping into the swamp27:30 Values, meaning, and designing work that actually fits you30:10 The “swamp” metaphor: discomfort as the price of meaningful work33:00 Fear, uncertainty, and speaking outside your comfort zone35:10 ACT in action: focusing on what’s on the other side of the swamp38:00 Risk tolerance, uncertainty, and how personality shapes career choices42:20 Case example: supporting a senior leader considering entrepreneurship45:00 Scarcity mindset, money fears, and responsibility during career transitions48:00 Why fear makes sense — and why it shouldn’t make the decision50:30 Is it ever too late to build psychological flexibility?53:10 Psychological flexibility as “conscious evolution”54:20 Rachael’s upcoming book on Acceptance & Commitment Coaching56:00 A practical reflection exercise for listeners navigating career transitions58:10 Where to find Rachael and her work*Resources mentioned:- Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)- ACBS World Conference 2026*Support the podcast:- If you enjoy Choose Work, you can support it with a small voluntarycontribution (even the price of a coffee) via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/choosework*Contact Dr. Rachael Skews and learn more about her work:- Website: https://www.rachaelskews.com/- The Coaching UnpACT podcast*For show notes, please visit ⁠heididelanghe.com/podcast⁠For feedback or suggestions for topics or guests, email me [email protected] Contact Heidi - Career & Leadership Coach • Expert inGiftedness • Mindfulness Teacher:- Book a free discovery call at ⁠heididelanghe.com/contact⁠- Linkedin: ⁠linkedin.com/in/heididelanghe⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/heididelanghe.coaching/⁠*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. The conversations are intended for informational purposes and do notconstitute professional, psychological, or career advice.