Iris
Participation coach
Participation coach
Participation Coach
Team Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Works at all VodafoneZiggo office locations and from home
Lives in Leeuwarden
At VodafoneZiggo since 2019
Thinking in terms of possibilities and tailored support. That, according to Participation Coach Iris Koorn, is the perfect recipe for inclusive employership and professional success. She has a passion for helping colleagues at VodafoneZiggo who face work-related challenges. And sometimes she advises their managers and fellow team members, too. Her approach allows everyone to get the best out of themselves.
From deafness, brain damage and autism to visual impairment, motor skills issues and depression – VodafoneZiggo employs people who face all kinds of work-related challenges. You'll find them at almost any type of position at all levels throughout the organisation. And providing those people with help and guidance is custom work. "That is exactly what I like about my job so much," says Iris. "I look very closely at what each individual needs. Like an adapted work space, clever screen reader software, or a work schedule that allows for sufficient rest. Coordination with manager and team members is part of the job too. What do they need to know and do in order to enable their colleague to be successful?"
Right now, Iris's 'clients' are mostly colleagues who have already been with VodafoneZiggo for a while. "Some I talk to every week, others maybe just twice a year. With one person I'll apply conversation techniques, with others visualisation. Again, it's all custom work. At the start, we determine what someone wants to work towards. We compile a plan of approach together with the manager and then carry it out, step by step. The pace at which plans are carried out can vary, and that is completely fine. As long as people keep taking steps towards their goal."
Iris does everything she can to create a pleasant and workable situation. "Nevertheless, many people I coach soon cross their own boundaries," says Iris. "This happens because of people's persistent belief that they have to perform just like everybody else. 'I already work a little slower than average, so I'd better skip my break,' is something I hear sometimes. Or, 'My hand hurts, but the work needs to be finished.' People bend over backwards to perform as best as they possibly can. Out of loyalty, but sometimes out of a highly unjustified negative self-image. It is my job to help these colleagues understand that such thoughts get in the way of their professional development. They cause extra stress and physical complaints, which are not beneficial to performing well. Dealing with misconceptions can do wonders for people's overall health and happiness.
"There are many ways I get satisfaction from my work," says Iris enthusiastically. "It's wonderful to watch a colleague achieve their goals, excel in their work, become a full team member or obtain a permanent contract. But I get perhaps the most satisfaction from the added benefits of my efforts; the impact I have on people's lives outside of work. 'I'm no longer depressed!' a colleague will sometimes tell me in astonishment. Or: 'My partner and I don't argue so much anymore.' And, particularly special, 'I now understand why I got into financial trouble and how I'm going to get out of it.'"
Iris is enthusiastic about VodafoneZiggo, too. " You have the freedom to demonstrate who you are in the things you do, and I find that really cool. For myself, but for everybody I coach as well. There's a truly warm and welcoming atmosphere here, and to many that's such a relief. Some people have had years of coaching before they were ready to try paid employment. If things then work out first time round, then that's a huge achievement and something of which everyone involved can be very proud."
Many colleagues in Iris's Team Diversity, Equity & Inclusion face work-related challenges themselves. "One is easily overstimulated, another uses a wheelchair and another colleague has poor eyesight. All of us share a drive to make VodafoneZiggo more diverse and inclusive every day. I want hiring someone in a wheelchair to be just as ordinary as hiring someone who wears glasses. And, fortunately, we already have plenty of examples of that right here," adds Iris. "People who start their new jobs and find their way around easily. Not everybody with a work-related challenge needs me!"
