How do you ensure to successfully grow an organization with 65+ companies, 3,500 employees across 15 countries? For Total Specific Solutions (TSS), investing in leadership development is one of the most important pillars of long-term success.
Since 2019, Bolster has been the trusted partner for TSS in developing its top leaders. Managing Directors from all TSS regions spend one year working intensively on their leadership skills through a structured program.
CEO Ramon Zanders explains: “Without strong leaders, you cannot build a scalable organization. For us, leadership development is essential to safeguard continuity and prepare our people for tomorrow’s challenges.”
At TSS, sustainable growth means preparing the next generation of leaders internally. It’s not just about filling a position, but about developing Managing Directors who truly understand the TSS formula and who can run their businesses with a high level of autonomy.
“We wanted a program that could prepare our people for full responsibility within two years,” says Zanders. “Leaders who can make rational decisions, think strategically, and turn plans into real action. People who don’t just take part, but show ownership and create momentum.”
That’s why TSS looks for more than just theory. The leadership journey is designed around personal growth, autonomy, ownership, and practical learnings that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
Finding the right leadership development partner
“Bolster stood out because they could adapt their standard program seamlessly to our specific needs,” Zanders explains. “Their flexibility and willingness to truly co-create the program with us gave us instant confidence. This didn’t feel like an off-the-shelf solution, but a genuine partnership.”
A key driver in this collaboration has been Rogier ’t Hooft, partner at Bolster, who has co-designed and facilitated the program from the very beginning. His experience and personal involvement ensured that the Top Leadership Program not only fit the TSS culture, but also continuously evolved alongside the organization’s growth ambitions.
This led to the creation of the Top Leadership Program (TLP), a tailored leadership program that makes leadership tangible, action-driven, and challenges participants to actively take ownership of their role.
Leadership in action
Since 2020, the TLP has been running in an annual rhythm from May to April, with one to two groups per year. Participants work on personal leadership, team leadership, and strategic leadership, always connected to real challenges from their daily practice.
They also challenge each other, creating impact that is immediately visible within their companies.
“We see participants coming up with initiatives that truly drive movement. They engage colleagues, make strategic choices, and successfully translate them into action. Some have even stepped into full leadership responsibility already. That’s exactly what we aimed for.” – Ramon Zanders
A leadership program that evolves
One of the strengths of the partnership with Bolster is that the program continuously evolves. As the world changes, and as challenges within software companies shift, the leadership program adapts accordingly.
“Our collaboration with Bolster proves its value year after year. The program keeps evolving, so our leaders are always better prepared for the complex challenges they face,” says Zanders.
The result is not a one-off initiative, but a structural, long-term investment in leadership and continuity.
What makes Bolster unique
For Zanders, its clear what sets Bolster apart from other organisations:
- Practical and action-driven – the focus is on real leadership in practice, not just theory.
- Directly applicable – skills learned can be implemented the very same day.
- Result-oriented – it’s not about endless personal analysis, but about creating momentum and achieving measurable impact.
- Continuity in growth and innovation
“With Bolster, we make a structural investment in our leaders. This is not only crucial for today, but above all for the future of our companies.” – Ramon Zanders
