9th dan judo · executive coach

Willem Visser

Four-time Olympic judo coach. More than 45 years of experience at the highest level, now coaching board members, executives and managers.

Executive coaching Publications
Portrait of Willem Visser
“Those who adapt have the best chance of survival, but they do not stand out by doing so.”
— Willem Visser

About

Pushing the limits – and helping others do so too

Willem Visser (1947) has more than 45 years of experience at the highest level. His guiding principle is to develop every potential strength to the full. He was an Olympic judo coach four times and now coaches board members, executives and managers.

He worked in the police and justice system for 32 years, including in a leadership role at the Dutch Police Academy. He also spent eight years as a managing director in the business world. Since 2000 he has been the owner of Willem Visser Coaching B.V.

His method for self-management

  1. Group functionality
  2. Self-evaluation
  3. Self-discipline
  4. ResultSelf-directed self-determination
  • Thrives under high pressure
  • Large and diverse network
  • Calm and driven
  • Always available

Executive coaching

Making leaders more effective, so they can help others grow

Coaching at board and executive level, focused on learning and improving leadership skills. With attention to Human Capital, group dynamics, dealing with stress and self-knowledge as the basis for growth.

Areas of support

  • Developing a vision and gaining commitment
  • Core qualities and social skills
  • Mental processes and group dynamics
  • Systems thinking and culture change
  • Process control and implementation
  • Feedback and appraisal interviews
  • Motivating and coaching leadership
  • Perseverance and self-evaluation
  • Stress and crisis management
  • Self-confidence and career management
  • Steering behaviour in the organisation
  • Analysis of behaviour, values and norms (MDI)

Working methods

  1. Individual advice and coaching
  2. Group coaching of boards and executive teams
  3. Workshops for boards and executive teams
  4. Task-oriented team building
  5. Leading peer review sessions

Career and references

From the mat to the boardroom

  • 4×Olympic Games, 1984–1996
  • 7European titles as head coach of the Dutch Judo Federation
  • 125+national champions, Judo Ryu Nijmegen
  • 32 yearspolice and justice
  1. 2022 – 2025 JudoPassie working group Policy advisory group to the board of the Dutch Judo Federation Judo
  2. 2021 Congress in Uzbekistan Opening lecture: innovative approaches in physical culture and sport Seminars
  3. 2020 12th International Congress SSRI, Iran Keynote speaker on sport and professionalism (online) Seminars
  4. 2019 Kokushikan University, Tokyo Lecture Seminars
  5. 2018 Sport Management Association Iran Keynote speaker, national congress Tehran: leadership and management Seminars
  6. 2018 Shahid Rajaee University, Tehran Keynote speaker on sport and professionalism Seminars
  7. 2017 – present Hercules Judo Echt Guest trainer; training camps in Japan (2018, 2019, 2024) and weekly online technique sessions since 2020 Judo
  8. 2017 10th International Congress SSRI, Iran Keynote speaker and workshop lecturer Seminars
  9. 2016 – 2017 NIFS, Tokyo Symposium "What is Olympic Legacy" Seminars
  10. 2015 – 2016 Good Care Feels Better Executive coach Board & advisory
  11. 2015 – 2019 NIFS, Kanoya (Japan) Guest lecturer in coaching theory and sport management Seminars
  12. 2014 – 2015 Stichting de Hanzeheerd Executive coach to the Board of Directors Board & advisory
  13. 2013 – 2016 Agro Participatie Fonds Member of the Board of Directors Board & advisory
  14. 2013 – 2014 Nationale Sponsor Kaart Supervisor Board & advisory
  15. 2013 Stichting Biezonderwijs Tilburg Executive coaching and supervision of the Executive Board Board & advisory
  16. 2013 WZU De Veluwe Management masterclass Board & advisory
  17. 2013 Nederman Multinational Personal coaching of managers Board & advisory
  18. 2012 – 2016 Remie Uden Strategic adviser to the board and chair of the board meeting; reorganisation of five divisions with 65 professionals Board & advisory
  19. 2011 Turkish Judo Federation Technical and general director Judo
  20. 2011 BRO, urban planning, Boxtel Lecturer in leadership and collaboration Board & advisory
  21. 2010 ROC Helmond Executive coach and adviser to the commercial director Board & advisory
  22. 2009 ARJO Netherlands (Getinge, Sweden) Executive coach and strategic adviser: culture change, management team synergy, strategy and merger advice Board & advisory
  23. 2008 – 2010 NKS Member of the executive board, finance portfolio Judo
  24. 2003 – 2010 Judo Ryu Maasduinen Chairman Judo
  25. 2001 – 2009 Van den Berg Groep Managing director (from 2002) of a holding company with more than 100 professionals; member of the Board of Directors since 2005 Board & advisory
  26. 2001 – 2010 Council for the Judiciary (Raad voor de rechtspraak) Executive coach to court presidents and board members Board & advisory
  27. 2001 Kruisheer Elffers Architectuur Director, leading a merger process Board & advisory
  28. 2000 – present Willem Visser Coaching B.V. Owner and director Board & advisory
  29. 2000 – 2001 Rabobank, REXEL (PPR), NBO and others Executive coaching, merger and synergy projects for executive and management teams Board & advisory
  30. 1999 Amsterdam-Amstelland Regional Police Project coordinator and adviser to the police leadership Police & justice
  31. 1997 – 2004 Welsh Judo Association Technical director; author of three handbooks Judo
  32. 1996 – 2012 CIOS Heerenveen and Haarlem Guest lecturer in judo Judo
  33. 1993 International Olympic Academy, Greece Seminar Seminars
  34. 1990 – 2021 NOC*NSF (Dutch Olympic Committee) Master Coach lecturer; guest lecturer for the EJU and IJF in many countries Judo
  35. 1989 – 1996 Dutch Judo Federation (JBN) Men's head coach: seven European titles, three Olympic medals; founder of six International Training Camps at Papendal Judo
  36. 1984 – 1996 Olympic judo coach Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta Judo
  37. 1980 – 1985 CIOS Sittard Guest lecturer in judo Judo
  38. 1976 – 2001 Judo Ryu Nijmegen Founder and head coach: 14× team champion, more than 125 national champions Judo
  39. 1972 – 1975 Hoenderloo Groep Judo teacher for young people Judo
  40. 1971 – 1976 Nijmeegse Judo Vereniging Judo teacher and competition coach Judo
  41. 1971 – 1999 Dutch Police Academy Lecturer, later head of the physical and mental training department; leadership development of police officers Police & justice
  42. 1969 – 1970 Amsterdam Police Training School Teacher of judo, self-defence and physical education Police & justice
  43. 1968 – 1969 Special prison for young men, Zutphen Movement therapist Police & justice

Grades and honours

9th dan judo 九段

Recognition of a lifetime's contribution to judo: as a coach, teacher, administrator and author.

Dan grades

  • 20269th dan IMAF USA
  • 20239th dan AJBA
  • 20239th dan IMAF NL
  • 20239th dan KJN
  • 20168th dan IJF
  • 20158th dan Dutch Judo Federation (JBN)

Honours

  • 2026Silver Life Member, USA Kodokan Judo / MIAF
  • 2002Honorary distinction from the City of Cardiff, Wales
  • 1990Sports award of the province of Gelderland
  • 1989Sports award of the city of Nijmegen

Download full CV

Werkervaring van Willem VisserPDF · NL Work experience of Willem VisserPDF · EN Expériences professionnellesPDF · FR

Publications

19 publications on judo, coaching and leadership.

Theory Judo

9 publications
  • Kodokan Gokyo No WazaIncluding biomechanical explanation. In Dutch or English.
    100 p. · NL / EN
  • Judo 1Randori and Kata
    EN
  • Judo 2Personal Development
    EN
  • Judo 3Fighting with dignity
    EN
  • Judo 4The core that lead to success
    EN
  • Judo 5Stages of development in Judo
    EN
  • Judo 6Various parts of training
    EN
  • Judo 7Training construction
    EN
  • Judo 8Types of Judoka
    4 p. · EN

Theory Coaching

7 publications
  • Coaching 1 & 2History of coaching & Definition
    EN
  • Coaching 3, 4, 5 & 6Types of coaches, Aspects, Competences, Considering
    EN
  • Coaching 7Development & Change
    EN
  • Coaching 8 & 9Coaching, Leading, High Performance
    EN
  • Coaching 10 & 11Mental training & Seven elements of teambuilding
    EN
  • Coaching 12, 13 & 14Organizing & Coordinating, Management, Leadership
    EN
  • Coaching 15Specific Aspects
    EN

Management and Leadership

3 publications
  • Leadership 1
    EN
  • Leadership 2Fighting with dignity
    EN
  • Leadership 3Imagination
    EN

Contact

Get acquainted?

For coaching, a workshop or a lecture, or a question about a publication.

Email
w.visser@willemvissercoaching.eu
LinkedIn
Willem Visser