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From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: What Your First Leadership Role Really Feels Like
You thought it would feel powerful. Like finally having a seat at the table. Like being the one who decides, not the one who follows. And yes, it does feel different. But probably not in the way you expected. Your first leadership role is rarely the victory lap you imagined when you were still working your way up — delivering results, trying to be seen, and occasionally wondering why your boss acts the way they do. Because the truth is: when you step into leadership for the first time, the world tilts. It doesn’t revolve around you anymore. It revolves around others. And that… can be both humbling and beautiful.…
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Grace Over Games: Leading the Person Who Tries to Undermine You
You’re in charge. A new team member joins. They shake your hand, smile, nod—and then proceed to ignore everything you say. At first, it’s subtle. A deadline slightly missed. A different format than the one you asked for. Small things, and maybe you think: “They’re just finding their feet.” You give it time. But soon, the pattern sharpens. In meetings, they talk over you. They change decisions behind your back. Their tone is passive-aggressive. To your face, they’re pleasant—but the results tell another story. You sense it. Others sense it too. And you ask yourself: What is going on here? And more dangerously: Did I do something wrong? Let’s pause…
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I am in the wrong job
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When Saying “No” Isn’t an Option: How to Handle Tough Leadership Requests with Grace
“You can’t really say no to this, you know.” The words still echo in my mind — half a suggestion, half a command. If you’ve ever been asked to take on a task you didn’t want (or shouldn’t) do — and felt like “no” wasn’t an acceptable answer — this article is for you. ✨ When the Ask Isn’t Really a Choice Maybe it’s an extra project that feels wrong. Maybe it’s a task that clashes with your values. Maybe it’s simply more than you can — or should — take on. Whatever the reason, here’s the hard truth: Sometimes, especially when senior leaders are involved, refusing a request comes…
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Why it is good to have no clue what to do
Ask! Thought-provoking!
UNFAIR!
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When a Team Member Falls Short: How to Lead Without Losing Heart
“He didn’t finish the work again…” The thought flashes through your mind, maybe with a mix of frustration, resignation, or even quiet anger. Sound familiar? You have a team member who falls short on tasks — and without meaning to, you find yourself carrying the extra weight. Again. If you’ve ever felt this way, this article is for you. Because leading through underperformance isn’t just about getting things done — it’s about how you carry yourself and your team through it. ✨ First Things First: It’s (Probably) Not Personal Before you act, pause. Ask yourself: Is this person intentionally trying to hurt me or the team? In almost every case,…
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Why does my boss earn so much money?
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If you want a career, this is important
The interview is going fine. Questions and answers are meandering like a lovely river – the job offering seems to be certain. This is when the applicant asks her bold last question: „What would you have liked to know when you were in my situation?“ I am smiling. „Always choose the person you are working for and not the topic.“ The applicant pauses. „I didn‘t expect that answer“, she admits. We are both sitting in silence for a moment enjoying our thoughts wandering around the idea in the room. Choosing a person. Not a topic. Selecting a teacher. Not a task. When you think of it, it really makes sense.…
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Why it is good to have no clue what to do
When I led my first project team, it felt quite overwhelming. Assigning tasks to my team, talking to the client, keeping my internal stakeholders up to date, managing the scope, keeping track of the numbers … sometimes I didn‘t know what to do first. On top, the solution for the client didn‘t fall off the shelf but we needed to interview people, ask questions, define deliverables and agree on a way of working to getting to the results. Sometimes I really wished to know everything already. At that time, a lot of the solutioning was created in the evening when I went swimming. Under water I could think. I could…
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How to have a great team meeting
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Use feedback to speak potential
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Doing a career is easy [2/2]
Recap from lasts week article: Promotion means that there are people who put you in new roles you cannot get on your own. These people talk in rooms to which you don’t have access. These people cannot be forced to promote you – but they can be won over so that they want to promote you. How do you win people over? Think of the reasons you found for promoting somebody: Please remember that a career is done in a context, which means: other people need to be convinced that you fit the promotion standards – not you. All you can do – and have to do – is, being…
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My manager doesn’t care
How often do I have to call my mentee?
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Doing a career is easy [1/2]
“How do I get the promotion?”, it’s THE question in the room – especially in the early stages of a career. Let me turn it around: whom would you promote? Think about it for a moment. What would you like to see to promote someone? Before we get to the answer, let’s explore the habitat of a career. A career is always done in a context. There are clients who need your service. There are bosses who need your integrity. There are middle managers who need your skills. There are your peers who need you as a trustful colleague. And there is you. You. What do you want? Being the…
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Why it’s a good sign when your job feels boring
Starting a new job is exciting. Meeting new people, getting to know the tools and processes, learning about the industry and diving into unknown challenges. Every meeting and task requires concentration. The brain is on fire and one is wondering whether this job can ever be mastered. Time flies – and way too soon the day is over. This sensation usually keeps up for a few weeks or months – until a certain routine settles in. The key people are met, the main meetings are known, the content can be handled. You are still on a learning curve but it is not as steep as in the first weeks. You…
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Don’t consult your people for leadership
„What a shitty weather“, he complains while his car is fighting through wind and rain out of the city heading to this place in the middle of nowhere. The navigation system points to a spot along the lonely road. His assisstant had sent him the coordinates with the information to take a warm jacket. His boss requested him to come. Something about leadership – if he remembers correctly. But why on a Saturday? and why at this place? Through the fog, a parking lot unfolds. He reduces the speed and turns right. His colleagues are already there. Nice. Now he needs to spend a weekend with the same people he…
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Why should I even head for a career?
A good leader can admit failure
I want that promotion. Now!
