Why It Took a Dutchman to Teach Us About English
Most of us speak without thinking and listen without hearing. That’s the conclusion I came to after more than 19,000 conversations as a psychologist and communication coach. On May 29th, I launched Imprisoned by Words in London—a book born from curiosity, frustration, and a deep belief in the power of language.
The Decline of Real Communication
Our vocabularies are shrinking. Conversations are reduced to emojis and abbreviations. And yet, English is one of the most beautiful, expressive languages we have. What are we doing with it?
So often, when I repeat someone’s words back to them, they say: “That’s not what I meant!” And they’re right. Because speech flows so naturally, we rarely think about it. But our words shape relationships, careers, and even our sense of self.
From Sales to Psychology
My journey began in the Dutch province of Brabant, where I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. After years in sales, I realized my true passion: listening. Coaching came naturally, and I later earned degrees in psychology and NLP to deepen my understanding of human behavior and language.
In 2005, I started my own consultancy, VidaSense, to help individuals and companies communicate better. Since then, I’ve become a public speaker, always returning to one central truth: words can change outcomes.
A Quote Worth Remembering
“Words are the most powerful things in the universe. They can inspire us, challenge us, hurt us, or lift us.”
Or as I say in the book:
“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant.”
The Book Is Now Available
Imprisoned by Words is available via Amazon, all major bookstores, and www.josfrederiks.com. ISBN: 978-1-915465-53-5
Price: £19.99 | €24.99 | $25.99
Want to learn more or start a conversation? I’d love to hear from you.
Jos
