Fifteen years ago, Lybra Training, Coaching & Consulting began with a simple belief:
when people grow, organizations grow with them.
At the time, the world of work looked very different. Leadership was more hierarchical, technology played a supporting role rather than a central one, and conversations around emotional intelligence, well-being, and self-awareness were still emerging in many organizations. Yet even then, one thing was clear to us, sustainable success has always been, and will always be, deeply human.
As Lybra marks 15 years, we pause not just to celebrate longevity, but to reflect on what this journey has taught us about work, leadership, and transformation.
The Early Years: Learning to Listen Before Leading
In our early years, Lybra worked closely with leaders and teams across the public and private sectors in Suriname. Each organization came with its own culture, challenges, ambitions, and unspoken dynamics. Very quickly, we learned an important lesson: transformation cannot be copied, rushed, or imposed.
No two teams are the same. No two leaders grow in the same way. And real change only begins when people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Before frameworks and tools, there had to be trust. Before performance, there had to be clarity. And before change, there had to be honest conversations, often uncomfortable, but always necessary.
What Never Changed: Human Experience at Work
Over the years, the tools we use have evolved. Methodologies have sharpened. Technology has accelerated everything. But one truth remained constant:
Work is emotional.
People bring their energy, fears, motivations, habits, and life experiences into the workplace every day. Leadership decisions are influenced not only by strategy, but by stress, confidence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience. Productivity is shaped as much by mental and emotional well-being as by systems and schedules.
This is why emotional intelligence, communication, self-awareness, and leadership development have always remained at the heart of Lybra’s work. Because when people understand themselves better, they collaborate better, lead better, and make better decisions.
Technology Meets Humanity: Embracing the Next Chapter
In recent years, the pace of change has increased dramatically. Digital transformation, automation, and artificial intelligence reshaped how organizations operate — and how people experience work.
When AI entered the picture, Lybra approached it with curiosity and responsibility. We didn’t see it as a replacement for human thinking, but as a powerful thinking partner — one that could support clarity, productivity, and decision-making when used thoughtfully.
Between 2023 and 2025, we explored AI tools deeply, not as trends, but as practical instruments for leaders and professionals. What started as an experiment quickly became a new area of impact, leading to AI workshops that supported hundreds of professionals in working smarter without losing their human judgment.
Our belief remains firm:
digital transformation only succeeds when people are ready to transform with it.
15 Years, 15 Learnings
Fifteen years in the field have offered many lessons. These are some of the ones that shaped us most:
1. People are always the starting point
2. Self-awareness is the foundation of growth
3. Leadership grows through reflection, not titles
4. Communication is a leadership skill, not a personality trait
5. Teams thrive when trust is intentional
6. Change works when people feel safe
7. Burnout is a signal, not a weakness
8. Productivity is about energy, not just time
9. Transformation is never one-size-fits-all
10. Growth requires both structure and flexibility
11. Tools fail without clarity
12. Digital tools need human discernment
13. Coaching creates ripple effects far beyond the workplace
14. Culture is shaped by daily behavior
15. Learning never truly ends
With Gratitude
This journey would not have been possible without the leaders, teams, clients, and partners who trusted Lybra over the years. Those who were willing to pause, reflect, learn, and grow even when it was challenging.
Your openness, commitment, and courage have shaped Lybra just as much as any framework or program ever could.
Looking Ahead
As we look toward the future, Lybra remains grounded in the same purpose that started it all: helping people and organizations evolve with clarity, humanity, and intention.
The world of work will continue to change. Technology will advance. New challenges will emerge. But our focus remains steady, supporting leaders and teams in navigating complexity with confidence, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful use of technology.
Because the future of work isn’t just digital.
It’s deeply human.
Closing
Fifteen years in, Lybra continues to do the same work,
helping people think better, work better, and live better.
And we’re just getting started.
Happy Birthday Lybra!
Here’s to closing 2025 with gratitude
and
opening the next chapter with intention
Sheetal Sujan,
Lybra Training, Coaching & Consulting N.V.
Below is a short teaser of this session:
