My passion: your own paths
About Laurent Cardon, conflict coach and certified mediator
My personal story
I am married, father of 4 children and grandfather of one granddaughter. Born in Antwerp, I was raised in a bilingual French and Dutch context. My wife, Dominique Poullet, is a lawyer and certified family mediator.
My professional story
After studying civil engineering at UCL, I joined the Solvay Group in 1988. Quite quickly, I wanted to complete my training with management training (CEPAC – ULB). I have had the pleasure of holding several positions (research, finance, supply chain, industrial operations, HR), both operational and strategic, and in a multicultural context. Beyond the responsibilities of each position, team management and personal development have been real sources of motivation for me. I have supported several employees and leaders in resolving interpersonal disagreements and team conflicts, thus developing experience in facilitating dialogue. The project of devoting myself full-time to supporting people gradually took shape. I left the Solvay Group in 2023 to train in coaching in a course recognized by the ICF. At the same time, inspired by my wife's experience, I also became an accredited mediator.
My conviction
My belief is that each individual is unique and lives in his or her own reality. He or she is able to understand his or her context, knows what is good for him or her and has the resources to carry out mediation or coaching work in order to find his or her own solutions. This belief led me to choose the name YOWS for my company: Your Own WayS.
My style and expertise
Being rather calm, I bring serenity to mediations and coachings. Both analytical and synthetic, I keep the long-term vision while going into detail when necessary. My experience as an executive in business helps me understand the specific challenges of the business world and its professions. Through my listening, my curiosity and my creativity, I will help you, through awareness, to take a step back so that you find the solutions that suit you. I am trilingual in French, Dutch and English with an interest and deep respect for all cultures.
My voluntary work
I also wanted to get involved as a volunteer with the OVO association (Ondernemers voor Ondernemers) for which I coach African entrepreneurs in the scale-up phase and as a member of the Organizing Authority of a school in Brussels.
Diplomas
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Civil Engineer (UCL)
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Postgraduate in management CEPAC (ULB)
Certificates
Trainings in Mediation and Coaching
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social mediation (PMR Europe)
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civil & commercial mediation (PMR Europe) -
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Coaching: foundations and practice (Leading & Coaching Academy)
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accreditation in social, civil and commercial mediation with the Federal Mediation Commission in Belgium (accreditation no. 4823)