Independency

To start with: the Safety Jester sits in an independent position. There is no line of authority between the Jester and the lines of power in an organisation. The Safety Jester therefor has no boundaries to speaking up candidly.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.” — Christopher Hitchens

Prevention versus curation

The Safety Jester above all has a role in preventing things from going wrong. Unlike Confidentiality Persons and Whistleblowers arrangements, the Safety Jester operates before things are going wrong.

An important credo is: ‘you do not have to be ill to become better.’

Honest Insights & Truth-telling

Delivers candid, honestry, integrity and vulnerability. reliable information free from hierarchy or office politics—no spin, no sugar-coating.

“Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.” — Mahatma Gandhi

360° Organizational Access

The Safety Jester moves freely across hierarchy levels, engaging with everyone—from leadership to front-line teams, from all organisational perspectives.

“A 360-degree perspective isn’t just seeing more—it’s seeing differently, again and again, until judgment gives way to understanding.” — Unknown

Humor and Lightness

The Safety Jester uses playful interventions to ease tensions and open minds—humor becomes the tool to lower defenses and highlight uncomfortable realities.

“The basis of humor is not laughter, but surprise; and surprise means a sudden shift of perspective.” — Wayne C. Booth

Independent & Unbiased

The Safety Jester has no internal, external, or financial agenda—fully impartial in role and with no operarional duties, thus not taking part in the line of command.

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.” — Richard P. Feynman

Durable Cultural Impact

The Safety Jester integrates reflective practices into your organisation’s daily routines, leaving behind tools and methods so the effect lasts beyond the Jester’s tenure.

We want to set up people for success. That is not the same as preventing them from failure. — Todd Conklin

scientifically-proven method

The Safety Jester follows the award-winning Hofnarmethode®, based on an award-winning academic research and a validated 16-role framework by Juri Hoedemakers, Chief Jester Officer at Het NarrenGilde. Find out more about it here.