Guy Cozijns
Economic Strategist & Creator of the PD Matrix™
I help leaders, governments, and organisations turn complexity into clarity by making hidden dynamics visible and workable.
My work blends technical depth with the ability to connect … unlocking trust, alignment, and progress where it matters most.
Active across Europe, the Dutch Caribbean & Latin America, I bring systemic insight and a human touch to contexts where resilience and transformation are needed.
Let's work together
A living systems approach to Economics
I don’t see the economy as an abstract machine. I see it as a living system … powered by people, trust, and the quality of our choices.
This perspective runs through everything I do as an economic strategist, advisor, and author … working with governments, businesses, and institutions across Europe, the Dutch Caribbean & Latin America.
My craft combines technical depth with the ability to truly connect: listening with care, aligning diverse voices, and turning complexity into clarity and momentum.
Where others see conflict or stalemate, I see the natural tensions of a living system. By making these dynamics visible and workable, space opens for genuine progress … grounded in trust, and built to last.
The Power-Difference Matrix™
My Flagship Framework
The Power-Difference Matrix™ is the core of my work. It's a reflection tool that makes power dynamics visible and workable … especially where progress is stuck or conversations go silent.
The PD Matrix™ was not designed step by step … it came to me in 2025 as a sudden download, uncut and uncensored. It helps leaders and teams move from transition to clarity, from competing narratives to shared action.
How the PD Matrix™ works
What it does
The PD Matrix™ makes visible what usually stays beneath the surface: positions, power, and inner experience. It offers a shared language to recognise tension, agreement, and silence — and to understand the deeper dynamics driving behaviour.
Where it helps
From strategy retreats to multi-stakeholder reforms, from executive transitions to policy design and crisis recovery. The PD Matrix™ is especially powerful when alignment feels stuck, when different voices need to be heard, or when trust must be rebuilt.
How it feels
Structured and safe … yet deeply human. The process invites honesty without confrontation and often unlocks surprising energy. How participants could describe it: moments of breakthrough clarity, recognition, and connection that carry into real decisions and action.
Outcome: deeper alignment, breakthrough clarity, and the energy to move forward together.
Four lenses of Power Dynamics
The Power-Difference Matrix™ helps you see complex situations through four distinct lenses. Each lens reveals what is often hidden — the subtle and overt ways power shapes outcomes. By recognising these dynamics, leaders and teams can find new clarity, trust, and ways forward.
Harmonious leadership
When diverse stakeholders align around a shared vision, trust grows and collective energy flows. Power is balanced, enabling not only smoother decisions but also momentum that feels shared and alive.
Clashing forces
Open disagreement and competing agendas collide. Different power bases push against each other, sometimes creating stalemates or conflict. Yet within these clashes lies the chance to surface what truly matters — the issues that must be faced for progress to happen.
Friction on the sidelines
Resistance often shows up quietly: voices that remain unheard, concerns left unspoken, people disengaging at the margins. These undercurrents can slowly erode trust and weaken initiatives if not brought into the conversation.
Silent agreement
When consensus feels too easy or norms go unquestioned, underlying tensions may stay hidden. This silence can mask imbalances and cause missed opportunities — but naming it can open space for deeper trust and genuine growth.
Together, these four lenses provide a framework to uncover hidden influences, transform tension into clarity, and open new paths forward — for people, teams, and organisations.
Published works & thought leadership
My writing is where analysis meets imagination. Each book captures a part of my journey: connecting economy with life, making power dynamics visible, and exploring the spirit of collaboration.
1
Economics Powered by Life (2025)
This book connects economic principles with the vibrance of living systems. It offers a fresh lens on resilience, sustainability, and human well-being — showing that without life, the economy has no meaning.
2
The PD Matrix™ (in progress)
A forthcoming guide to the Power-Difference Matrix™, designed to help leaders and teams navigate hidden power dynamics, unlock alignment, and move from tension to transformation.
3
Sports & Team Spirit titles
From We worden wereldkampioen (2018, Belgian Red Devils) to OctoPaul Predicto – Oranje & Rode Duivels hand in hand (EURO 2024), these works explore the power of team spirit and collective achievement, drawing lessons that reach far beyond the pitch.
Together, these works reflect my journey in thought leadership — offering fresh perspectives and practical tools for anyone seeking clarity, trust, and forward motion.
Keynote speaking & conference presentations
I share my insights on economic strategy, power dynamics, and living systems at international conferences and specialized events.
My talks combine analysis with imagination, provoking thought while offering practical frameworks for leaders and organisations to act with clarity and courage.
2022: "Imagination & Power from a Child's Perspective"
At the International Conference on Diversity in Organisations, I explored how the unfiltered view of a child can reshape our understanding of power. By combining imagination with energy, I invited leaders to see beyond constraints and to design more inclusive, creative, and effective leadership strategies.
2021: "(Re)Connected in a Disconnected World"
In the midst of the pandemic, I addressed the urgent need for reconnection. Using the metaphor of the living cell, I highlighted how economies, like natural systems, require resilience, trust, and diversity. The presentation offered pathways for education, inclusion, and sustainable reform … showing that even in crisis, new forms of connection can emerge.
2009: "Sustainability and the SIDS Context"
At the UNESCO Small Island Developing States Conference, I addressed sustainability challenges faced by island nations. My talk underlined the balance between vulnerability and opportunity, stressing how small states can become laboratories for global innovation in resilience and regeneration.
Selected projects: diversity in action
My work extends to hands-on projects where I apply a living systems approach to complex economic and social challenges. Each initiative reflects not only technical solutions, but also the alignment of people, institutions, and vision — turning resilience into tangible progress.
COVID-19 Emergency Fund, Curaçao
Co-designed the NOW model to protect jobs and businesses during the pandemic. Balanced immediate relief with fiscal responsibility, while restoring trust in times of uncertainty.
National Recovery Framework, Curaçao
Shaped strategy components for resilience and reform. Focused on sustainable recovery and institutional strengthening in the fragile post-crisis landscape.
Investment Climate Improvement
Contributed to the Red Tape Commission & Tiger Team. Delivered systemic recommendations to simplify permits, reduce barriers, and foster a climate of trust for entrepreneurs and investors
Sustainable Logistics Strategy
Authored the 2022 Strategic Note outlining a vision for logistics that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship — connecting growth with long-term sustainability.
Each project is different in scale, but the essence is the same: creating clarity, building trust, and unlocking forward movement in diverse and often challenging contexts.
Island expertise: Caribbean Development Programs
My work in the Caribbean is rooted in deep regional understanding. On small islands, resilience is not abstract — it’s lived every day. These projects reflect my commitment to building local capacity, strengthening governance, and fostering sustainable growth in Small Island Developing States.
Saba Management Development (2022)
Designed and facilitated a comprehensive training program for government officials and community leaders. Focused on policy design, effective writing, and authentic public speaking, the program empowered local talent to lead with clarity and confidence.
Bonaire Programs (2019-2022)
Led a multi-year initiative on talent development … coaching young professionals in project management, financial stewardship, and policy writing. Built on earlier investment climate work (2010–2011), these programs strengthened local skills and fostered long-term economic resilience.
Sint Maarten Market Analysis (2013)
Conducted a feasibility study on the insurance sector that provided critical insights for strategic decision-making. The study directly supported the launch of new operations on the island, translating analysis into tangible economic impact.
On each island, the context is unique … but the essence is the same: creating clarity, empowering people, and building systems that last.
How I work & let's connect
Analyse what matters
Every situation has deeper layers. I look beyond evidence and systems to what truly drives behaviour … including the unspoken dynamics of trust, resistance, and power. That is where the real levers for change are found.
Align who matters
Lasting progress happens when the right people come together … leaders, coalitions, and also the voices that are often unheard. My role is to create the conditions for honest dialogue and shared commitment.
Act where it counts
With clarity and alignment in place, we can unlock energy and move forward. Decisions become cleaner, processes lighter, and progress more sustainable … because it is grounded in trust.
If you’re leading an organisation, shaping policy, or navigating a complex transition, I can help you create clarity, trust, and momentum. The PD Matrix™ provides a framework for seeing what is hidden, transforming tension into alignment, and moving forward with confidence.