Thimon de Jong

Behavioural Scientist & Strategist on Change Management

Thimon de Jong, global futurist and founder of Whetston, delivering a dynamic 2026 keynote on the intersection of AI, human psychology, and trust.

Thimon de Jong is a world-class behavioural expert and anthropologist who identifies how organisational cultures truly respond to disruption. Grounded in social psychology, he reveals why digital transformation often falters—not through technical failure, but due to innate human resistance to uncertainty and identity threat. He provides the missing link between future-facing strategy and the biological limits of the people tasked with executing it.

What distinguishes Thimon is his focus on human behaviour under pressure. He examines how cognitive bias, habit, and group dynamics shape decision-making during systemic upheaval. His perspective bypasses "innovation" jargon to reveal the psychological forces at play, helping leaders understand why high-level strategies often collapse into institutional inertia or employee backlash.

On stage, Thimon is a clear and provocative keynote speaker. He reframes adaptability and leadership as behaviours that must be designed for the reality of the human brain. His insights empower C-suite leaders to move beyond blind optimism, offering a humane and realistic framework for navigating the complexities of the future of work.

Signature Keynotes

  • Understanding the emotional logic behind resistance.

  • Why strategy fails when psychology is ignored.

  • How uncertainty shapes decisions and culture.

  • Why flexibility is harder — and more human — than we assume.

  • How leaders earn trust in times of disruption.

The de Jong Effect

Change becomes understandable, human, and actionable.

Audiences leave with:

  • Deeper insight into why people resist change

  • Understanding of fear, bias, and behavioural blind spots

  • More realistic expectations of transformation

  • Language to discuss uncertainty without denial

  • A human lens on progress, innovation, and leadership

Why Book Thimon

Thimon de Jong resonates with audiences tired of simplistic narratives about disruption and resilience. He brings rigour without jargon, challenge without cynicism, and insight grounded in how people actually behave, not how we wish they would.

He is particularly compelling for organisations navigating cultural change, digital transformation, and leadership in uncertain environments.

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