The importance of reflection, lean tax function, and improving soft skills | Henny Verboom, VP Global Head of Tax Adyen

In this episode of Tax Leaders Unplugged, host Stevi Frooninckx is joined by Henny Abdel Malek Verboom, the VP and Global Head of Tax at Adyen, a Fintech company based in The Netherlands. Henny previously served as the Tax Lead for Europe at Uber and as the Global Head of Tax at Rituals, a renowned cosmetics brand. With a knack for thriving in high-speed environments, Henny shares her strategies for making a significant impact at work, including her practice of dedicating one day each week to focused reflection. Beyond her career in tax law, Henny is also a certified yoga teacher and practices mediation, which helps shape her leadership style. In our conversation, we discuss:

• How to apply the Theory of Lencioni to your work

• How she approaches and utilizes a lean tax function with her teams

• Why she dedicates one work day for reflection

• Invaluable advice on navigating the complexities of in-house tax roles in fast-paced industries

• The power of investing in personal growth and 'soft skills' for long-term success in the tax profession

• And much more

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Where to find Henny Abdel Malek Verboom:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henny-verboom-27704218

Where To Find Stevi Frooninckx:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevifrooninckx

• X: https://twitter.com/stevi_f

In this episode, we cover:

(01:31) Welcome Henny Abdel Malek Verboom

(02:59) What Henny learned on her trip around the world

(04:21) Why it’s important to keep an open mind and avoid the judgment trap

(05:26) How Henny has learned to use her influence, be impactful and create positive change

(09:19) Why Henny’s philosophy is personal growth leads to company growth

(10:32) How to be a fair tax player and initiatives Henny takes to support her team

(11:59) Henny’s “high impact reflection day”

(14:40) Why Henny has her team practice reflection, as well

(16:00) Henny’s diverse experiences and pros and cons of the different industries

(22:10) Why Henny decided to take on more of a leadership role and join Adyen

(23:41) The pace at Uber and Adyen, and why Henny enjoys the challenge

(26:00) Building a “lean tax function”

(27:37) Why Adyen is highly regulated

(28:52) The most challenging parts of the job for Henny

(31:32) How Henny struggles with wanting to keep everyone happy

(33:15) How a panic attack led to Henny seeking a different path to healing

(36:00) What “soft skills” are and why 85% of job success comes from those skills

(38:20) How AI assists with technical skills

(39:25) The flexibility and resourcefulness required to be an in-house tax manager

(41:20) Why Henny went back to being an in-house

(43:50) Advice for improving your soft skills

(45:30) Adapting your leadership style to the generation you are leading

(46:48) Lencioni's pyramid for high-performing teams

(48:20) The people Henny looks up to

(49:20) Adyen’s impressive CFO

(50:20) Henny’s final advice—why people never forget how you made them feel

(51:47) The tax pyramid

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Referenced: 

Adyen: https://www.adyen.com/

Rituals: https://www.rituals.com/

Building a Lean Tax Function: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/henny-verboom-27704218_building-a-lean-tax-function-exclusive-insights-activity-7171141045110394880-nQ1m/

Greatest Factor in Job Success: Soft Skills: https://edynamiclearning.com/greatest-factor-in-job-success-soft-skills/

Astrid Lindgren quote from Pippi Longstocking: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6773397-i-have-never-tried-that-before-so-i-think-i

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (and how to overcome them): https://www.bitesizelearning.co.uk/resources/five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-summary-pyramid

Patrick Lencioni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth/

Tony Robbins’s website: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80102204

Ethan Tandowsky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethantandowsky