“People make the difference in credit management”
In this new episode:
In this episode, Jan Van Langendonck joins Jean Paul Van Damme for a candid conversation about leadership, people management, and the evolution of credit management over the last 20 years.
Jan, a seasoned interim manager with experience at companies like LeasePlan, Sligro, and CBR, shares his approach to strengthening organizations, restoring processes, and, above all, getting people moving again.
Jean Paul and Jan take you into the reality of credit teams in 2025, where AI provides the tools, but people still make the difference.
Listen to the full episode, also available on Spotify, and always stay one step ahead!
Why you shouldn’t miss this podcast
Interim versus permanent manager: speed is everything
Interim managers are rarely brought in when everything is running smoothly. They often end up in chaotic situations: disrupted teams, missing figures, and unclear processes. Jean Paul describes it as “not just a lost cause, but a situation that was already beyond repair before it even started.”
As an interim, you don’t have time to observe for months. You need to make a difference within the first two weeks. Jan always starts with two things: clear figures and defined roles.
Jan uses the 80/20 rule to maintain focus and achieve quick wins without drowning in data. For him, it’s about visible leadership, gaining trust, and identifying and addressing resistance.
Leadership under pressure: the sandwich effect
Credit managers are often “sandwiched”: pressure from above (objectives, targets, reorganizations) and tensions within the team (differences in motivation, skills, or trust). Jean Paul calls it “the sausage in the hot dog, with ketchup and sauerkraut.”
Jan speaks openly about how to handle diversity within a team as a people manager. He identifies four types of people:
- Can do it and loves doing it – let them get on with it.
- Can’t do it and doesn’t want to – the most difficult category.
- Can’t do it but wants to learn – invest in them.
- Can do it but deliberately sabotages – take action.
Leadership, especially in a temporary role, requires balance: enough empathy, but also the courage to make decisions. And doing so with impact, without creating chaos.
Soft skills beat tools
AI, ERP, and automation have removed much of the manual work from the credit process. But that doesn’t mean the work has become easier. Figures are available faster than ever – but what do they mean? And how do you communicate that to sales, the customer, or the CFO?
Jean Paul and Jan emphasize that credit management today is a bridge function: between sales and finance, between tool and decision, and between customer relationship and cash.
Jan advocates for processes with clear boundaries, teams with responsibility, and tools that support flows instead of frustrating them.
About our guest:
Jan Van Langendonck began his career in accounting but found his true passion in managing people and building high-performing credit teams.
After permanent roles at companies like LeasePlan and CBR, he started working as a freelancer and grew into a highly sought-after interim manager in finance & credit.
His approach? People-oriented, sharp in analysis, and always focused on progress.
“You can’t improve cash flow without bringing people along with you. And you can’t build a team without a clear process.”
