What exactly does Transformation Nomads do?

Transformation Nomads is the world’s first Human Sustainability Advisory. We guide organizations and leaders through transformations that start with the human, not with systems. We do this through diagnostics (scans, PMO+), monitoring (Human Sustainability Monitor), and transformation programs (culture transformation, executive coaching, Moral Compass Game).

What’s the difference between Transformation Nomads and traditional consulting firms?

Traditional consultants often focus on processes, systems, and compliance. We focus on the human behind those systems. Additionally, we are facilitators, not consultants: we build capacity within your organization rather than creating dependency on external advisors. The result is lasting change that comes from within, not a report that ends up in a drawer.

Where is Transformation Nomads based?

We operate internationally and work with organizations around the world. Our team is spread across multiple continents, which enables us to combine local context with international experience. Our programs are offered on-site, online, and in hybrid formats, depending on what suits your situation.

Do you only work with large organizations?

No. While we often work with organizations of fifty employees or more, size is not the determining factor. What matters is the willingness to place the human at the center and the ambition to truly transform. We also work with mid-sized organizations and leadership teams looking to change their organization’s culture.

Which sectors do you work in?

We work across all sectors, with particular experience in healthcare, education, government, financial services, and technology. These are often sectors where pressure on humans is highest and where the need for human sustainability is most urgently felt. However, our approach is sector-agnostic: wherever humans collaborate, human sustainability is relevant.

Who is Ronald Heister?

Ronald Heister is the founder and CEO of Transformation Nomads. With more than three decades of experience in strategy, communications, and transformation, he has advised leaders, governments, and Fortune 500 organizations. He is internationally recognized as the first Human Sustainability Advisor and is active as a speaker, author, and advocate for placing the human at the center of sustainability strategies.

What do you mean by “facilitators, not consultants”?

Consultants analyze problems and deliver reports with recommendations. They often leave afterward, and the organization is left wondering how to implement them. We work differently: we stand alongside your teams, guide the change process, and build capacity from within. Our goal is to make ourselves redundant, not indispensable.

What exactly is Human Sustainability?

Human Sustainability is the ability of humans to function in a healthy, resilient, and values-driven way over the long term. While traditional sustainability focuses on the environment and systems, Human Sustainability focuses on the human being: on trust, dignity, psychological safety, and purpose. Our conviction is that no organization or society can be sustainable without sustainable humans.

How does Human Sustainability relate to the Sustainable Development Goals?

The Real Human Goals are not a replacement for the SDGs, but a complement. The SDGs focus on systems and structures: climate, poverty, education, health. The RHGs focus on the human. Environmental, Social, and Governance goals protect systems. Real Human Goals protect humans. Together, they form a more complete picture of what sustainability truly means.

Is this a religious or spiritual framework?

No. Although the philosophy is rooted in timeless wisdom, it is not a religion and not a spiritual movement. It is a practical, scientifically grounded model that is accessible to everyone, regardless of worldview. The focus is on concrete application in organizations and leadership, not on faith or belief.

What are the 17 Real Human Goals?

The 17 Real Human Goals are concrete goals that serve as a moral compass for individuals, teams, and organizations. They address themes such as truth, integrity, forgiveness, courage, service, and stewardship. The Goals are equal in nature and free to enter: you choose where to begin. Together, they form the compass of the Human Sustainability Framework.

What are the Five Domains?

The Five Domains are the learning and application model that describes how the 17 Goals can be put into practice. They form a developmental path from within outward: from Alignment (inner truth) through Discernment, Compassion, and Community to Stewardship (servant leadership). The domains build upon each other and have a sequence.

How do the Goals relate to the Domains?

The Goals are the compass; the Domains are the path. The 17 Goals are concrete guideposts you can freely enter. The Five Domains describe how you can implement those Goals in a developmental journey from within outward. Each Goal touches multiple Domains. They are different perspectives on the same journey.

Do I need to go through all 17 Goals or all Five Domains?

No. The Goals are equal and free to enter. You choose where to begin. The Domains are a developmental path, not an obligation. Domain 1 (Alignment) is accessible to everyone. Domain 5 (Stewardship) requires a specific calling to leadership and is not for everyone. You can grow at your own pace and stop where it fits for you.

What are Human Fulfillment Indicators?

The Human Fulfillment Indicators (HFIs) are the human counterpart to traditional KPIs. Where Key Performance Indicators measure performance, HFIs measure fulfillment, human growth, and purpose. They make the invisible visible: trust, dignity, psychological safety, and meaning. These are the foundations upon which sustainable performance is built.

What is the Human Footprint?

The Human Footprint describes the human impact that an individual, team, or organization leaves on society. It marks a shift from the Carbon Footprint to a broader understanding of impact: not just how much damage you cause to the environment, but how much you contribute to the dignity and flourishing of humans. This fits within modern stewardship.

Are the instruments scientifically grounded?

Yes. The instruments are developed based on scientific research into human wellbeing, organizational culture, and sustainable performance. They are continuously refined based on new insights and practical experience. The Human Sustainability Framework combines modern science with timeless wisdom about human flourishing.

How do I know which service fits our organization?

You don’t need to know in advance. We always start with a discovery call where we listen to your situation, challenges, and ambitions. Based on that, we advise which service or combination of services is the best fit. Sometimes a scan is enough to provide direction. Sometimes a deeper engagement is needed. We discover that together.

Can your services be combined with what we already do?

Absolutely. Our services are designed to complement, not replace. If you already work with an occupational health service, physician, or other partners, we align with them. The PMO+, for example, is conducted in collaboration with your own occupational physician or a physician from our network. We add what’s missing, without duplicating what already works.

What is the PMO+ and how does it differ from a regular preventive medical assessment?

The PMO+ is a Preventive Medical Assessment that looks beyond blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition to the medical examination by an occupational physician, we add a human-centered analysis: insight into moral strain, psychological safety, and cultural tensions. This way, the PMO+ measures not just whether individuals are healthy, but why they struggle or thrive.

Can we combine the PMO+ with our own occupational physician?

Yes, that’s actually the preferred situation. The medical component is conducted by your own occupational physician or by a collaborating physician from our network. We add the human-centered analysis. This keeps your relationship with your existing occupational health service intact while giving you the best of both worlds.

What happens with individual results from the PMO+?

Individual medical results remain strictly confidential between the employee and the occupational physician, in compliance with privacy regulations. Organizations receive only anonymized group insights. This ensures employee privacy while still providing the organization with actionable insights.

How long does a Human Sustainability Scan take?

The timeline depends on the size of your organization and the desired depth. For a mid-sized organization, you can expect a few weeks from questionnaire to final report. We align the process with your schedule and ensure the burden on employees is minimal.

Is the Human Sustainability Scan anonymous for employees?

Yes. Employees complete the questionnaire anonymously. Results are only reported at the group level, never traceable to individuals. This ensures that individuals can answer honestly and that the scan provides a reliable picture of what’s really happening.

How does the Human Sustainability Monitor relate to existing HR dashboards?

The Monitor doesn’t replace your existing dashboards; it complements them. Where HR dashboards often focus on absenteeism, turnover, and satisfaction, the Monitor measures the underlying dimensions that explain these figures. Why do individuals really leave? Why is absenteeism rising? The Monitor provides answers that traditional measurements miss.

How often is measurement done with the Human Sustainability Monitor?

We align the frequency with your situation and goals. Some organizations choose quarterly measurements to track trends. Others measure semi-annually or annually. More important than frequency is consistency: only with repeated measurements do trends and effects of interventions become visible.

Do the Human Fulfillment Indicators replace our existing KPIs?

No. The Human Fulfillment Indicators are a complement to traditional KPIs, not a replacement. Financial and operational performance remain important. The HFIs add a dimension that traditional measurements miss: the human side of performance. Together, they provide a more complete picture of how the organization is really doing.

How long does a culture transformation take?

That depends on the scope of the desired change and the size of the organization. You don’t change a culture in a quarter. Expect an engagement of at least one year for visible and sustainable results. We’re honest about what’s realistic and monitor the pace together with you.

Does the entire organization need to participate in a culture transformation?

Not necessarily. Sometimes culture transformation begins with a specific team or division. A successful pilot can then create inspiration and momentum for the rest of the organization. We advise on the best approach given your situation and ambitions.

How much time does an executive coaching program require?

We align the intensity with your situation and schedule. Most programs work with sessions of one and a half to two hours, every two to four weeks. Additionally, time is needed for reflection and assignments in between. Expect a program of at least six months for sustainable results.

Is executive coaching also suitable for entrepreneurs?

Absolutely. Entrepreneurs often carry a unique burden: responsibility for the entire organization rests on their shoulders. Our coaching helps entrepreneurs bear that burden without losing themselves. To lead from vision and values, not from fear and control.

How large can a group be for the Moral Compass Game?

The ideal group size is up to fifteen participants. This is large enough for diversity of perspectives and small enough for in-depth conversations. For larger groups, we work with parallel sessions or split the group. Contact us to discuss what works for your situation.

Can the dilemmas in the Moral Compass Game be customized to our sector?

Yes. While we work with a base set of proven dilemmas, we can adapt or supplement these with scenarios specifically relevant to your sector or organization. Think of dilemmas around patient safety in healthcare, or around confidentiality in the financial sector. We discuss this in advance.

What can I expect from a discovery call?

A discovery call takes about thirty minutes and is completely no-obligation. We listen to your situation and challenges, answer questions about our approach and services, and explore together whether there’s a match. There’s no pressure to decide on the spot. The goal is to discover whether we can be of value.

How quickly can you start an engagement?

That depends on the nature and scope of the engagement and on your timeline. For some services, like a Moral Compass Game session, we can start within a few weeks. For larger engagements like a culture transformation, we plan a realistic timeline together. We’ll discuss what’s feasible during the discovery call.

What does an engagement with Transformation Nomads cost?

The investment depends on the service, the size of your organization, and the desired depth and duration. We always create a customized proposal after the discovery call, so you know exactly what to expect. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation about the possibilities.

Do you work on-site or online?

Both. Some engagements lend themselves better to physical presence; others can be executed excellently online or in hybrid format. We align the format with what fits your situation, the nature of the engagement, and practical considerations such as location and availability.

What does a typical engagement look like?

Every engagement is customized, but a typical structure begins with a discovery call, followed by a diagnosis phase (scan or intake), a design phase (customized program), an execution phase (facilitation, coaching, workshops), and an evaluation phase. Duration and intensity vary by service and situation.

What if we want to stop or adjust mid-engagement?

That’s always possible. We work with regular evaluation moments where we assess together whether the engagement is still on the right track. If adjustment is needed, we adapt. If stopping is the best option, we respect that. Our goal is to help you, not to extend engagements.

What if we’re not satisfied with the collaboration?

We value honest feedback. If something isn’t working, we want to know as soon as possible so we can adjust. If the collaboration truly isn’t a fit, we’ll work together to find a good solution. We believe in relationships based on trust, not contractual obligation.

Do you offer guarantees on results?

We cannot guarantee specific outcomes, because transformation depends on many factors, including the commitment and willingness of your own organization. What we do guarantee is our full commitment, honesty about what’s realistic, and an approach that has proven effective. We stay involved until we’re satisfied together.

How do you measure the success of an engagement?

That depends on the goals we determine together upfront. For some engagements, we measure with the Human Sustainability Monitor and see scores improve over time. For other engagements, qualitative indicators are more important: do individuals experience more trust? Do they dare to speak up? Has the atmosphere changed? We determine together with you what success means.

What happens after an engagement concludes?

After conclusion, we evaluate the engagement and results together. Many organizations choose some form of ongoing monitoring or periodic check-ins to sustain the change. Others continue independently with the capacity that has been built. We advise on what fits your situation and remain available for questions.

What is the relationship between Transformation Nomads and Real Human Goals?

Real Human Goals stewards the philosophy of the 17 Goals and the Human Sustainability Framework. They are the source. Transformation Nomads is the exclusive partner and translates this philosophy into practice for organizations and leaders. All services we develop are created in collaboration with Real Human Goals to safeguard the integrity of the framework.

Can I work directly with Real Human Goals?

Real Human Goals stewards the philosophy and builds the movement, but does not offer services for organizations. If you want to work with the framework as an organization, Transformation Nomads is the right place. If you want to grow as an individual, The Other Workshop is where to go. Real Human Goals is the place to explore the philosophy without immediately starting an engagement.

What’s the difference between Transformation Nomads and The Other Workshop?

Transformation Nomads works at the organizational and leadership level: culture transformation, executive coaching, scans and monitoring for teams and organizations. The Other Workshop works at the individual level: personal growth, training, workshops, and the RHG Practitioner certification. Where we work with employers and leaders, The Other Workshop works with individuals and professionals.

What if my question is both individual and organizational?

That happens often. Many leaders want to grow personally while also transforming their organization. In that case, we collaborate with The Other Workshop to design a customized program that addresses both dimensions. Contact us and we’ll explore together what fits.

Can I become an RHG Practitioner through Transformation Nomads?

The RHG Practitioner training is offered by The Other Workshop, not by Transformation Nomads. If you’re interested in this certification, we’re happy to refer you. Contact us or visit The Other Workshop directly for more information about the training.