Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches & Consulting Experts
Connect and act - leading in turbulent times The pressure in modern work environments is high. Growth targets, deadlines, company politics, stakeholder demands - all happening alongside high volatility and complexity. Naturally, expectations towards managers are increasing as well. How tough does one need to be to stay in the game? Will only the narcissistic despot come out on top? TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTO: KASSNER FOTOGRAFIE
For consultant and business coach Susanne Kaßner the answer is “no”. In today’s world, managers need to deal with ambivalences: stimulating innovation and managing the daily business, withstanding insecurities and embodying stability, facilitating continuous change and staying true to oneself. As essential resources, Kaßner highlights a human connection between top management and employees and a candid sparring partner for reflection. “Two weeks ago a team of managing directors told me they had learned to speak more with their employees not about them.” Seeing those kind of eyeopening experiences moves her, as they
pave the way for tangible differences in organisational life. Kaßner, a psychologist and change management expert, has been advising executives and teams during challenging transformations for more than 20 years. The combination of psychology and business acumen gives her the necessary understanding of the many issues a leader may face. “Requirements are as diverse as people and I know by now what works. A pre-set procedure is not helpful - it is experience, flexibility and a keen sense of people and situations that counts.” Based in Augsburg, Kaßner is passionate to develop and coach executives and
their teams from medium to large corporations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland in times of change. Some of her tips are also published on her website’s monthly management impulses. “Today’s environment needs executives, who think ahead and encourage actions of others, who create relationship quality with customers and employees and take personal responsibility despite doubtful facts.” In short, people who connect and act. www.connectandact.de
Susanne Kaßner.
In support of a healthy performance There are many things holding us back. More than ever, a stressful daily routine, self-doubt in professional and personal circumstances and inner and outer conflicts prevent us from reaching our full potential. Consultant Katrin Kiggen has identified these blockades and in her work with clients she aims to establish a sustainable, health-conscious performance. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTO: KIGGEN BERATUNG
For Kiggen, becoming a coach and consultant was a long, but linear, road. In fact, there is an unconscious central thread to her career. After studying business administration, she began working in the marketing sector and quickly grew into being a marketing manager. This leading position offered her the possibility to see and feel the experience of both herself and her co-workers first hand. Naturally she also gained extensive practical knowledge as to the operational way of supporting her employees, as well as herself. In order to improve those abilities further, she completed two individual coaching trainings. Realising that the 76 | Issue 40 | July 2016
profession of a coach would allow her to work more immediately with people and also to influence people’s lives in significant ways, Kiggen decided to take courage and make the transition. “It just felt right, despite the fact, that I didn’t have any clients at the time.” Nowadays, change and transitioning processes are at the core of her work. “A transition phase brings about many ambivalent thoughts and feelings. It’s important to clarify those emotions.” As an external observer and listener, Kiggen facilitates situations where people are able to recognise their own potential and act accordingly.
The value of sustainability is particularly important to her. Henceforth, one of her special areas of expertise has become psychodynamic health coaching. Reflected in the coaching is Kiggen’s focus on the human being as an organisational driving force. In that, her coaching will improve employee health and make the intertwining between people’s well-being and organisational development smoother. www.kiggenundpartner.de
Katrin Kiggen.