Our Mission
To unlock the human potential that drive top performances.
We bridge the gap between character and high-stakes success, providing the clarity teams need to thrive under pressure.
Our Story
Why does one person thrive under pressure - and another doesn't?
Ten years ago, we started with that one big question. What is that missing puzzle piece, and can it be developed?
We found the answer. Character.
At PeakPersonality, we believe people make the difference, not when things are easy, but in high-pressure moments. We help individuals and teams perform at their best when it counts, because when people are in their strength, performance, wellbeing, and collaboration improve.
Our expertise spans boardrooms, tech, and elite sports. Real growth starts with insights that accelerate development, using tools like Reset Strengths and Performance Strengths to maintain balance and effectively manage pressure.
Our Principles
The Pillars of Our Approach
Pragmatic
Theory is for the classroom. We provide a practical blueprint, connecting core character traits directly to an individual's actual performance in high-stakes environments. Our insights are designed to be used, not just reviewed.
Rock-Solid
Grounded in positive psychology and validated over years of research in high-stakes environments, our methodology is systematic and scientifically validated. We operate with rock-solid reliablity in our business always striving for excellence in everything we do.
Innovative
We don’t just process data; we reveal new dimensions of potential. We make the invisible drivers of performance, such as character, synergy, and mindset, visible and measurable, empowering you to make strategic decisions with clarity.
Committed
Our relationship is a partnership, not a transaction. We are deeply committed to your long-term success, providing a continuous roadmap for growth and equipping your team with the tools to achieve and sustain peak performance.
Proof in Performance
Validating the Impact of Character
-
76%
Of employees report feeling stressed at work
-
only 23%
of employees felt they were thriving at work in 2023
-
10x
A weak culture is 10x more likely to cause turnover than compensation
-
50-75%
of recruitments dissapoint
-
2/3
of employees accept a position that is not aligned with their strengths
-
46%
of executives fail within 18 months
The Founders
Who we are
Carla Smits-Nusteling
Founder
The most important lesson from my youth? You create impact by inventing different, better ways to reach goals. Even a small annual improvement makes a big difference. As a hockey player, I perfected new techniques. I brought that same drive to KPN, where I set up a successful 'best in finance' program that turned many participants into CFOs, while having fun! In my volunteer work at KZ, we transformed teams from 67th place to national champions. We did this by linking personality data to field roles; for example, the bravest player became the runner for a penalty corner, not the fastest. My time in elite sports and boardrooms intrigued me to solve why one team performs much better than another. What makes the difference? PeakPersonality is the answer!
Inge van Zuiden
Founder
Throughout my life, sport has been a constant fascination, not just for the game itself, but for the captivating stories behind each athlete and the person they are off the field. This passion for understanding human dynamics has profoundly shaped my professional journey.
What truly drives me is making a genuine impact by empowering individuals and teams to achieve their ambitious goals. During my period as a primary school director, I emphasized self-awareness and how it impacts relationships and performance. I've also immersed myself in countless leadership and personal development resources, always seeking practical applications.
Tex Ruskamp
Founder
My world has always been a blend of two passions: the structured, analytical thinking from my engineering background and in my youth, the dynamic, high-stakes environment of football teams. I've always been driven to find the patterns in performance, to understand why some teams click and others don't.
For me, the power of PeakPersonality is how we make the complexities of human character objective and understandable. I build the software that translates these nuanced personality traits into a clear roadmap, creating tools that I believe can empower anyone to discover and optimize their full potential.