Guido van Linschoten, Strategy & Execution Director based in the Netherlands, reflects on his growth from Analyst to Director, the impact of his work, and the values that shape his approach to consulting and leadership.
Meet Guido, Strategy & Execution Director from Amsterdam
From northern simplicity to urban excitement
I grew up in Groningen, a small city in the north of the Netherlands. Life is simple there. Northerners are down-to-earth and still greet their neighbours. Growing up, I was raised with a strong emphasis on pragmatism, mutual respect, open discussion, and personal responsibility. These values shaped how I approach both personal and professional relationships.
After finishing high school, I moved to Amsterdam for my studies, seeking a more vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. For me, the city embodies the perfect blend of culture and excitement. It effortlessly blends that global city feeling with small-town accessibility and quality of life. And as a huge foodie, there are new places to discover every week.
Discovering my path in consulting
After finishing my master's in International Relations & Political Economy, I was convinced a career in Oil & Gas was next. This was also the focus of my applications, looking at both large established players and start-ups in renewable energy. Consulting was never really top of mind.
I actually accidentally came across Metyis. I was introduced by a friend to ‘just come over and have a chat.’ Not knowing much, I was intrigued - by the clients, the big ambitions, and the quality of people.
The chat evolved into a series of interviews, after which I decided to join, feeling that this environment would suit me better than the more corporate and slower-moving world of Oil & Gas. This decision was definitely the right one.
Looking back, it has been a very exciting ride
Over the course of my consulting career, I’ve had the opportunity to grow from an Analyst into a Director, a journey marked by continuous learning and increasing responsibility.
Starting as an Analyst/Associate, my focus was mostly on data analysis and providing insights for decision-making (read: a lot of hours in XLS and PPT), but since we still embraced the start-up environment, I also had C-level exposure practically from day one. Metyis demonstrated confidence in new talent by sending me to Hong Kong for vendor negotiations just three weeks after I joined the team. I saw this as a bold move that gave me the exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully and showcase my skills from the very start of my journey with the company.
As I moved to the role of Manager & Principal, my responsibilities grew from being an individual contributor to a work-stream and team lead, also owning part of the client relationship and being responsible for delivery & quality.
In my current role as a Director, I oversee several projects, guide cross-functional teams (data & strategy), and work closely with our clients to deliver impact. Next to this, I’m also involved in business development and several internal projects. Despite now being in a more overseeing role, I still love the detailed content work and have to admit that sometimes I refrain from delegating some financial modelling or analysis piece to do it myself.
Looking ahead, let's continue to expand professional goals
Professionally, I’m focused on continuing to expand my leadership skills and take on more strategic responsibilities within Metyis. I hope to contribute to landing & delivering larger, more complex projects that drive meaningful impact, while also making sure my teams truly experience that promise of a steep learning curve. This also means taking a more proactive role as a mentor across Metyis.
No matter how good or thorough your approach & insights are, the success of any project and real value creation is dependent on the client’s ability to truly engage. Therefore, being skilled at the qualitative aspects of our work (e.g., building relationships, presenting, communication) is significantly more important than just being the smartest in the room or the more quantitative part of our job (e.g., XLS, analyses).
Ultimately, fostering strong relationships and crafting engaging narratives not only enhances our client interactions but also strengthens our team dynamics, making our work more enjoyable and impactful.
Here's to make it happen!
Having a healthy balance between the intellectual & analytical on one side and this entrepreneurial pragmatism on the other is key not only to delivering the impact that we promise our clients but also to having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously. This is actually one of the more underestimated elements of what drives success as a team. These busy and stressful days just feel so much easier to handle if you enjoy each other's company and there’s the right amount of humour and banter.
At Metyis, there’s a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect. I see that people are truly invested in each other's success and have that pragmatic ‘just get it done’ mentality. I love that about the company.
Personally, I aim to maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing opportunities for personal adventures and growth. A desire for further intellectual and personal growth probably leads to me applying for, e.g., executive b-school programmes and leadership development exchanges.
On a more personal note, as mentioned: I’m a huge foodie, so there’s this relentless fear of missing out on new restaurant openings or undiscovered culinary travel destinations. This includes bucket-list items such as travelling to Ilimanaq, Greenland, to visit the most remote Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. Next to food, I love (all) sports. As cycling is currently my go-to, for next year I have set myself the goal to complete a few mountainous one-day courses like the Marmotte and Maratona.
Being able to embrace both my professional commitments and personal passions, I strive to cultivate a fulfilling life that not only drives my success at Metyis but also enriches my experiences beyond the workplace.