Herman Konings

Speaker
Dutch
English
Herman Konings

Who is Herman Konings?

Herman Konings is a stand-up psychologist with inspiring stories about accelerating changes in people, markets and society.
Scientific-psychological fiction, you could call his expertise. Herman holds the degree of 'master in theoretical and experimental psychology, with a specialisation in neuro-physio-psychology' (KU Leuven, 1989) and in the late 1990s mastered the noble art of 'fermenting' : combining guessing (intuition, gut feeling, empiricism) with the laws and laws of reason and science (estimation). And so you can safely call him a 'gister of tomorrow'. 

Since 1999, Herman has over 3,200 lectures on the counter, of which roughly 60% in Belgium, 30% in the Netherlands and 10% in other earthly places. 
For whom? For those who want to brush up on their future literacy, for those who want to be uninhibitedly inspired about what the earthly afterlife has in store, and for those who need handles, cases and scientific legitimisation on future exploration in the market or society.

At Uitgeverij Lannoo, his eighth book will roll off the presses at the end of 2024: 'WI?DENTITY'. About work and life, and how they are increasingly merging into each other. And about generations and life phases, and how they weigh more heavily than age.

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    Forward to basics

    Meer dan 50 gewapende conflicten in de wereld, koopkrachtverval, overrompelende artificiële intelligentie, de war on drugs, een pandemie van mentaal onvermogen (bij jongeren), klimaatontwrichting ... veroorzaken een aardverschuiving, maar wat zal gebeuren na wat is gebeurd? Verantwoorde en hanteerbare voorspellingen maken over hoe mensen door wereldomvattende crises zullen veranderen, is een missie met mitsen en maren. Dàt we (in meer of mindere mate) zullen veranderen, staat wel vast. Historici, psychologen en sociologen hebben daar weinig illusies over. Ernstige crises hebben er altijd voor gezorgd dat allerlei maatschappelijke trends en marktontwikkelingen aanzienlijk versneld werden.

    The era of the Awe-conomy

    There are noticeably more fears, uncertainty and feelings of powerlessness accompanying the nagging sensation that we are rolling from one crisis to another, and so it is all hands on deck to help people dispel feelings of unease and apathy with hope, faith and love, but also with a lot of AWE.

    The English-language 'AWE' is best translated as 'speechlessness'. Think open mouths, goose bumps and coming to a standstill: awe-inspiring experiences that turn out to be more than breathtaking. Research suggests that regularly experiencing AWE can significantly improve our physical and mental well-being, and stimulate creativity, empathy and critical thinking.
     
    Welcome to the age of the stupendous economy, which will be great, but will also and above all lie in the small! 

    Gen Tonic

    At each stage of life, a generation fulfils a different function in society. For instance, we have a different role to play in our youth than when we turn 30 and have to deal with family responsibilities, which we then (have to) let go of when we end our active career. What now gives a generation its own face is the peer personality, equipped with typical strengths and weaknesses, which is found to a greater or lesser extent in the majority of all holders of that particular generation. It is precisely this that makes successive generations complete the same phases of life (very) differently from their predecessors.

    But there is more. The speed of change is changing. The buffer zone between yesterday and tomorrow is starting to shrink. This also affects generational thinking. Within one generation, distinct subgenerations are starting to emerge: Babybloomers, X-ennials, Gen Zalpha. But standard generations are also starting to look beyond historical divides and learn from other generations. The era of rigid navel-gazing seems over: young people are learning from older people and older people from younger people.

As always, Herman takes you on a whirlwind tour of near-future trends. The fascinating thing about Herman is that in a new stream, he often also recognises and acknowledges the counter-current. This allows everyone to make the analysis of the trends that suits them best for themselves. So I would say: buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Bart Claes

CEO JBC

Micro

A fascinating and infectious man who has put the profession of trendwatching on the map in Belgium. Each time, he manages to interpret the present and imagine the future. Confrontational and addictive. Appetite for the future guaranteed!

Tom Palmaerts

trendwatcher en managing partner bij Trendwolves

Herman has refreshing new insights, always. Underestimating their impact is dangerous, staying ahead of the curve is fascinating and necessary! Finding the balance in a period of crisis and uncertainty is an art. 

Peter Vandekerckhove

chairman meerdere corporate boards, ex-CEO Retail & Private Banking BNP Paribas Fortis

micro
GAP THE MIND (2021)