'Every member on the team is equally important, regardless of their position'

Dealing with people has been in Jeffrey de Roo's (42) blood since childhood. That he gets to manage multiple performers and teams as chief operating officer is therefore a gift to him. "I really enjoy motivating employees and making sure out-of-the-box that everyone is in their place," he says. "Because only then can employees get the best out of themselves."

Jeffrey was only 19 years young when he started working as an independent mechanic in construction. "At the time, I was working for a boss who had just taken over a company," he says. "I was put in charge of the electrical department and at one point an altercation arose, whereupon he said, 'You know it all so well, you should start a company yourself.' A good idea, I thought, and I immediately put my money where my mouth was. I drove to the Chamber of Commerce, registered and bought a cake. A decision I have never regretted." In the years that followed, he got to create many beautiful projects. He also learned an awful lot. "I was fortunate to have people around me who were eager to teach me things. They took me under their wing and educated me further. I was literally taken by the hand. That's how I saw all facets of the trade and progressed to shift supervisor, foreman and chief foreman W and E." During his projects, he regularly met people who worked through Velox. "Because Velox takes a lot of peripheral issues off my hands, I also tried this method of working myself. Since then, I regularly perform projects through Velox."

'Despite working as a freelancer, I have a great team around me'

COLLEGAS

"Through Velox, I get the chance to check out different companies," Jeffrey says. "But also to work on beautiful projects, which are often distributed at an early stage. So many people now work through Velox that I regularly run into colleagues on projects! Moreover, I am very pleased with the open company structure. Despite working as a freelancer, I have a great team around me."

A PIER SCHIPHOL

Jeffrey recently started on project A-pier Schiphol, a 400-meter-long mini-terminal for up to ten aircraft, which is to become the airport's most sustainable pier. "As Head of Superintendent E, I get to manage a number of superintendents," he says. "In doing so, I make the translation between construction and office staff. I make sure that the people on the construction site have the right information and tools to perform their tasks well. But also that the atmosphere on the construction site is good. Now that the teams have been formed, it is my job to make sure that everyone is in their right place, feels comfortable and gets the best out of themselves. Do certain employees need help? And is it possible, for example, to form buddy teams?"

'Alone, no one can realize a project'

IMPORTANT LESSONS

Dealing with people has been in Jeffrey's blood since childhood. "I learned to manage teams mainly because I'm curious," he says. "I always look closely at what others are doing, how they are doing it and what effect it has on their team. Also, I've never been afraid to ask. If you want to grow, you always have to keep asking. An important lesson I have learned is that motivated and satisfied people work better and safer. But also that every member on the team is equally important, regardless of their position. Alone, no one can accomplish a project. By specifically looking for employees who complement each other, you increase their knowledge and skills and improve the project result. A philosophy that Velox supports perfectly with VxTeams."

Podcast episode Jeffrey de Roo