When conversations break down, teams stumble. When leaders find the right words, people move forward together. Hanne Wulp has built her career around that simple truth.
After nearly a decade as an attorney in the Netherlands, Hanne chose to step away from courtrooms and legal procedures to focus on what she found most meaningful: helping people connect, listen, and resolve conflict before it caused lasting damage. That choice eventually led her to the United States, where she deepened her work as a mediator and trainer.
Today, as the founder of Communication Wise, Hanne Wulp partners with senior executives and leadership teams to sharpen the skills that matter most in business but are often overlooked: clear communication, healthy conflict, and authentic collaboration. Her approach is equal parts gentle and honest, and it has helped leaders not just avoid misunderstandings, but build workplaces where trust and resilience can thrive.
In this interview, Hanne shares the turning points that shaped her philosophy, why she believes conflict can be healthy, and how communication, when done right, can transform entire cultures.
Hanne, can you tell us about your personal and professional journey—what led you from practicing law to founding Communication Wise?
Hanne Wulp: After working for nine years as an attorney in the Netherlands, I moved to the United States in 2012 for personal reasons. My Dutch law credentials didn’t transfer. Rather than investing time and resources in re-qualification, I leaned into my passion for alternative conflict resolution (ADR). Having already served as a mediator back home, I began mediating in U.S. courts and corporate settings, helping individuals and teams resolve disputes before they reached the courtroom.
Building on that momentum, I designed and delivered mediation-based communication workshops for HR professionals, social workers, educators, and even police officers. Then the pandemic paused in-person training and court operations in 2020. I realized quickly it was time to evolve once more. I saw an opportunity to partner directly with executives amplifying their leadership impact by equipping them with advanced communication strategies. That insight inspired the creation of Communication Wise, where I now work alongside senior leaders to foster individual clarity and balanced strength, enhance leadership team collaboration, and build resilient cultures.
As someone who has worked as an attorney, mediator, and facilitator, what pivotal experiences shaped your philosophy around communication and leadership?
Hanne Wulp: As an attorney, I watched clients get swept up in rigid court procedures—and even winners often left the courtroom emotionally spent, financially drained, and permanently disheartened. That revealed to me the true cost of decision-making taken out of people’s hands.
When I transitioned into mediation, I appreciated how it shifted ownership back to clients. However, I also realized a handful of sessions couldn’t erase deeply ingrained and often unconscious beliefs and habits. Likewise, intensive workshops—whether one day or three—truly engaged participants but rarely led to lasting change.
These experiences crystallized my core belief: real growth in leadership communication comes from sustained practice, continuous reflection, and ongoing conversations about self-awareness. Our minds never stop running inner dialogues, and because we’re fundamentally social creatures, we owe it to ourselves and our teams to cultivate skills that endure beyond one-off training. Continuous coaching, follow-up, and real-world application are the levers that genuinely make a difference.
You take a gentle yet honest approach to coaching. Can you expand on what that means in practice, especially when working with executive leaders?
Hanne Wulp: From the very first conversation, many executives notice how I lean into curiosity—asking clarifying questions instead of jumping to conclusions or applying a rigid framework. I don’t position myself as the arbiter of truth; instead, I treat each perspective as one possible lens among many.
My role isn’t to hand down “the answer.” It’s to broaden my client’s view of their own challenges, revealing fresh angles, untapped opportunities, or new ways to connect with stakeholders. I gently push back on assumptions or potential blind spots.
The gentle side shows up in how we approach and navigate topics. I meet leaders where they are, at the pace they set. They decide how actively I should engage, which keeps ownership fully in their hands. Because they know their context best, I add a layer of active listening that helps expand viewpoints and uncover opportunities.
This collaborative process not only uncovers clarity but often sparks genuine relief and renewed optimism. Ultimately, “gentle yet honest” means holding a space that balances compassion with accountability, enabling leaders to grow with confidence and authenticity.
As an ADR specialist, how do you define healthy conflict in an organization, and how can leaders engage with it productively?
Hanne Wulp: Healthy conflict happens when everyone with a stake in an issue feels safe to voice differing viewpoints, listens actively, and collaborates on clarifying the topic and potential solutions. It’s about leveraging diverse perspectives to generate smarter, more sustainable outcomes.
But this is hard. Humans are not wired for it—we instinctively fight (compete, win) or flee (give in) when faced with disagreement, especially when the stakes are high. Awareness and practice are needed to choose the most effective mode, tailored to the situation. People instinctively default to one of three styles:
- Withdraw/Avoid: Stepping back to dodge tension.
- Accommodate: Prioritizing harmony (or “fake peace”) over personal needs.
- Compete: Pushing forcefully to get our way.
Each style serves a purpose in certain moments, but none works all the time. Over-avoiding breeds distrust, constant accommodation leads to resentment, and perpetual competition erodes relationships.
Leaders can gauge whether conflict is still constructive by looking for signs such as:
- Participants asking open questions.
- Genuine curiosity about the other side’s rationale.
- Willingness to test assumptions together.
- Rapid recovery from heated moments without lingering grudges.
Reflecting on tense conversations with a trusted person helps identify our default modes and where we can shift. Practicing conflict scenarios builds the “mental muscle” needed to respond differently next time.
How does effective communication contribute to a healthier company culture? Can Communication Wise really achieve 100% success in this area?
Hanne Wulp: A healthy company culture is defined by “how we do things around here (when no one is looking).” At its heart is how people navigate tough conversations. When teams engage in productive, respectful dialogue, they foster trust, clarify expectations, and stay aligned on shared goals.
Effective communication lays the groundwork for:
- Trust and psychological safety: Team members feel empowered to speak up.
- Shared purpose and values: Dialogue reinforces what matters most.
- Rapid problem-solving: Diverse perspectives reduce costly surprises.
- Resilience and adaptability: Open feedback loops help teams recover from setbacks.
Can Communication Wise deliver 100% success? It depends on how you define success.
If success means fostering attention to and genuine willingness for productive dialogues, absolutely. I partner with leaders to implement tools, frameworks, and ongoing coaching that embed these skills into daily routines, driving measurable shifts in behavior.
If success means flawless communication—no misunderstandings or conflict, that’s impossible. Human dynamics are complex and ever-changing. My goal is sustained progress, achieved through continuous reinforcement of healthy communication habits.
What’s your vision going forward? Any upcoming projects, training, or new directions you’re exploring at Communication Wise?
Hanne Wulp: I’m deeply satisfied with where Communication Wise stands today. Since its launch in 2020, the company has experienced consistent, organic growth.
Looking ahead, my focus is on deepening impact, refining my offerings, and pursuing strategic partnerships. I continuously learn from credible sources and larger organizations to strengthen my skills and approach.
I’m not forcefully chasing “what’s next,” but I remain open and attentive to opportunities. This ensures Communication Wise continues to grow in ways that are both meaningful and enduring.
