Kategorie: General

The Balance of Ambition: Embracing Consequences

Denzel Washington says, “If you pray for rain, you have to deal with mud. It’s part of the deal.” This quote illustrates that every action we take has consequences—both positive and negative. Washington often speaks about the challenges and efforts associated with pursuing goals and dreams. When we strive for growth, change, or success, we must also take responsibility for the unwanted consequences that come with it.

In this sense, the “rain” symbolizes the positive outcomes we desire, while the “mud” represents the difficulties and complications that can arise from our ambitions. Depending on the soil conditions—meaning the circumstances and environment—a small amount of rain can lead to mud, while in other conditions, a lot of rain is needed to produce similar effects.

This metaphor shows that excessive pressure or thoughtless actions can lead to negative consequences. If we cling too stubbornly to our goals without considering the perspectives and needs of others, it can act like a boomerang: our actions return to us in the form of resistance or misunderstandings.

Ultimately, it requires a balance between determination and consideration to achieve both personal and communal progress. If we handle our ambitions wisely, we can foster the growth we desire without neglecting the unwanted side effects.

It is crucial to find a balance between determination and consideration for others. By working together towards our goals, we can not only achieve personal success but also create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Reflect on your own goals and ask yourself: How can you ensure that your pursuit of success benefits others as well? Share your thoughts with your team or network!

Erscheint 2025: Arbeitstagungen mit Großgruppen erfolgreich partizipativ gestalten

Bald ist es soweit! 2025 erscheint mein neues Buch:

Arbeitstagungen mit Großgruppen erfolgreich partizipativ gestalten Grundlagen und konkrete Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Organisationsentwicklung

In diesem Fachbuch zeige ich, wie Arbeitstagungen in Großgruppen partizipativ und erfolgreich gestaltet werden können. Viele Teilnehmende empfinden herkömmliche Formate als wenig hilfreich. Wenn Arbeitstagungen im Großgruppen-Format partizipativ gestaltet werden, bringen sie Menschen zusammen und bereichern Entscheidungen durch vielfältige Perspektiven.

Das Buch beleuchtet die Grundbedingungen für Großgruppenmethoden in der Organisationsentwicklung und Erwachsenenbildung und stellt essenzielle Rollen für eine partizipative Gestaltung solcher Tagungen vor. Praxisnah erläutere ich die sechs populärsten und interessantesten Großgruppenmethoden, die ich in meinen fast 20 Jahren als Erwachsenenbildner selbst durchgeführt habe: Future Search Conference, Open-Space-Technology, Real-Time-Strategic-Change, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry Summit und Barcamp.

Der Inhalt umfasst:

  • Partizipative Gestaltung von Arbeitstagungen

  • Rollen und Auftragsklärung

  • Tipps zur Planung und Durchführung

  • (Hybride) Großgruppen-Methoden

  • Evaluation und nachhaltiger Erfolg

Lassen Sie sich inspirieren und entdecken Sie neue Wege für erfolgreiche Arbeitstagungen! Tauchen Sie ein in meine beinahe 20-jährige Erfahrung in der Erwachsenenbildung und lernen Sie, wie man mögliche Herausforderungen bei der Konzeption meistern kann.

Einen großen Dank möchte ich Mareike Teichmann , meiner Editorin beim Springer Gabler Verlag, aussprechen, die mir letzte Woche mein Manuskript genehmigte. Durch ihre Unterstützung ist mein Traum wahr geworden, ein Buch über Didaktik und Methodik zu schreiben.

Außerdem danke ich Prof. Dr. Werner Sauter für das Geleitwort; es ist eine Ehre, dass er sich bereit erklärte, dies zu übernehmen.

Mein Dank gilt auch meinen Arbeitgebern, bei denen ich lernen und meine Trainerpersönlichkeit entwickeln sowie unter Beweis stellen durfte. Besonders lehrreich war meine Erfahrung im Bereich Großgruppengestaltung mit den Firmen Orthomol pharmazeutische Vertriebs GmbH, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Novartis Deutschland und E. Breuninger.

Finding Inner Peace: A Reflection

This quote comes from François de La Rochefoucauld: “If you do not find peace within yourself, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”

What is inner peace, really? It’s a state where we feel at ease, reconciled, relaxed, and content with ourselves. In this state, we are free from external conflicts and any internal struggles. We feel clear and centered, remaining calm in all situations, even the most stressful ones.

This balance is cultivated through mindfulness—living consciously in the moment—and self-reflection, which involves understanding who we are and how we feel. It’s a form of self-leadership, being aware of our emotions, recognizing the patterns of interpretation we follow, and understanding the beliefs that may hold us captive.

Inner peace emerges from within through self-acceptance and, in my view, cannot be compared to the experience of flow, which is tied to an activity. Flow, as defined by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, occurs when we engage in a task to the point of losing track of time and space, where work feels effortless. While both experiences yield satisfaction, inner peace is independent of any activity—it emphasizes equilibrium and serenity. Simply existing is enough to feel this peace, accompanied by the affirmation: “I am at peace with myself and the world. I am exactly as I should be.”

Importantly, inner peace is not about ignorance or egocentrism; it’s about accepting our true selves. For some, discovering this peace may come more easily through activities, but fundamentally, it is a mindset regarding oneself.

I find my inner peace most readily during long walks with my dog, Lotte, without music or a phone—just the path, Lotte, and me. Meditation and mindfulness exercises are also effective methods. However, everyone has their own way of igniting this inner peace, and it’s crucial not to confuse it with the flow experience.

Inner peace can only arise from within.

It’s like a bud that lies dormant in each of us; everyone has the potential to attain inner peace. It is up to each individual whether that bud will ever bloom. In my opinion, inner peace is the foundation for flourishing as our true selves, providing the opportunity to discover talents that cannot be unearthed without it. Without inner peace, we may find ourselves swayed by the opinions of others, still unsure of who we truly are.

Discovering our inner peace means allowing ourselves to be who we are. It’s certainly worth the effort. Let’s embark on this journey together; who knows what wonderful aspects of ourselves we may uncover?

The Vital Role of Anger: Understanding and Harnessing Its Power

„Never act in haste out of anger – you have enough time.“ — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anger is often viewed as a negative emotion. In professional settings, it is frowned upon, much like many other emotions. From my experience, joy is perhaps the only fundamental emotion that is somewhat acceptable in the workplace, although it is often expressed cautiously. According to Paul Ekman, the basic emotions include joy, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, anger, and contempt. https://www.neverest.at/blog/7-grundemotionen-paul-ekman/

However, anger is anything but unnecessary. It is a crucial emotion that support us in following:

  1. Indication of Injustice: Anger reveals that the person feels wronged and highlights injustices that need to be addressed.

  2. Motivation for Change: Anger encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, set new boundaries, and advocate for ourselves actively.

  3. Self-Protection: Anger helps us recognize underlying feelings and protects us from falling into a cycle of sadness or self-pity.

  4. Enhanced Self-Reflection: Anger highlights where we have been hurt and prompts us to reflect on past experiences.

  5. Catalyst for Communication: Anger drives us to discuss issues that have caused us pain. It often serves as a prompt to resolve conflicts or uncover misunderstandings.

  6. Source of Energy: Unlike sadness, anger provides us with energy and strength, enabling us to tackle and overcome new challenges.

  7. Emotional Processing: Anger aids in processing emotions, including fear and sadness, contributing to healing our wounds. https://www.geo.de/magazine/geo-kompakt/15270-rtkl-psychologie-heilsamer-zorn-ueber-die-wut-und-ihre-positiven

Like all emotions, anger holds significant and positive meaning. The key is to recognize anger and use it constructively. This emotion can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and even bring about a positive change in society.

Suppressing or denying anger is detrimental, as the aggressive energy it generates must go somewhere. If it is not expressed outwardly, it turns inward, potentially leading to depression or other psychosomatic disorders, according to scientists.

On the other hand, blind anger can be destructive. Emerson is not against anger; rather, he views it as a driving force that must be released gradually. It’s akin to a pressure cooker: when the contents (anger) boil, the pressure must be released slowly. If I were to open the lid suddenly, the contents would splatter against the walls and ceiling.

Treat anger like the process of opening a pressure cooker.

Be Your Authentic Self: The Courage to Stand Out

Today’s quote comes from Judy Garland: “Be a first-class version of yourself, not a second-class version of someone else.”

Being true to oneself is, in my opinion, one of the most important things in life. Yet, this can be a challenging endeavor. Our experiences shape us, and each of us interprets situations based on what we’ve learned and experienced—both passively and actively. These events define us.

For instance, you might have a twin who looks just like you, but the way you perceive the world and interpret events can be entirely different. Years later, discussing a shared experience can reveal how divergent your memories are, making it feel as though you were in completely different situations.

This uniqueness can make it difficult to be a first-class version of ourselves. When you’re truly being yourself, others might not understand you. They may struggle to empathize or recognize aspects of you that they themselves have never acknowledged.

In the business world, showing emotions or fully sharing your knowledge can sometimes trigger fear in others. A person who dares to be authentic may be seen as a threat, as they embrace their true selves rather than conforming to what others expect. This can create discomfort for those who suppress their own individuality to blend in with the crowd. If someone cannot or will not allow him/herself to be authentic, he/she may feel the need for others to stay away from the authentic person, otherwise they might recognise his/her own learning fields. The authetic person is otherwise a mirror where the unauthentic persons sees the own development fields. This is projection, which means, a „mental process by which people attribute to others what is in their own minds.“ (https://www.britannica.com/science/projection-psychology)

Being a first-class version of yourself requires courage, self-reflection, and the acceptance that you might not be universally liked and could be labeled as „different.“ The advantage is that you can look in the mirror every day and know that you are exactly who you are—human and yet unique.

Have the courage to be yourself. Diversity makes the world more colorful and lovable, not uniformity.

In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity

Today’s quote comes from Albert Einstein. ‘In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity’.

The quote can be perplexing when you’re grappling with significant challenges and dreading potential future events, or when you’re in a phase where you feel utterly stuck, unable to see a way forward.

This is what Albert Einstein’s quote is about: shifting from a carousel of ‚what-ifs‘ to focusing on what’s achievable. It’s natural to dwell on possibilities and indulge in self-pity for a time, but eventually, we must move on to find the positives within our struggles.

Dwelling on possibilities and fears can paralyse the mind and soul, leading to stagnation. Like quicksand, self-pity can pull you down; to escape, you need a firm foundation.

Analogy 1: In the eye of a storm, there is tranquillity, and it is there that you can find the strength to emerge stronger from adversity.

Analogy 2: Muscle growth requires progressively increasing the weight, challenging the muscles. If the weight is too much, it’s sensible to reduce it gradually.

In other words, when difficulties seem overwhelming, it’s practical to tackle them one by one, eliminating them step by step. Often, others extend a helping hand, illuminating options without becoming directly involved.

Each of us has the power to illuminate the darkness for someone else by revealing possibilities. In the end, whether to embrace these opportunities is a decision that lies with the individual confronting the challenges.

It is a direction, not a destination.

Today’s quote from Carl R. Rogers is: „It is a direction, not a destination.“

Carl R. Rogers, the founder of person-centered counseling, believed that the client is at the center, emphasizing empathy with their world and acceptance of their standpoint. It’s not about interpreting or adopting a medical therapeutic viewpoint, but about fully engaging with the person. Solutions are crafted by the clients themselves through listening and a curious, non-demanding approach in conversation. This self-development of solutions leads to more enduring results and better outcomes, as the motivation originates from the clients.

This approach is encapsulated in the quote. Life offers a direction, not a fixed destination / goal. Destinations are known to shift over time. Even if one achieves a meticulously planned destination, it may not fulfill the initial anticipation. Moreover, achieving a destination / goal often leads to the creation of a new, sometimes radically different destination / goal. The journey towards a goal is fraught with unknowns that can never be completely anticipated. Despite this, setting a destination / goal is crucial, but it might be more beneficial to set a direction instead.

Setting a direction and not a destination maintains flexibility and wards off disappointment, as rigid destinations / goals can lead to disillusionment. Directions can adapt if circumstances change, such as an ill-timed moment or inadequate preparation.

Consider hiking: navigating a steep, rocky terrain during a downpour can be perilous; timing is key. Unlike destinations /fixed goals, directions can accommodate spontaneous changes and remain adaptable.

Which destination would have been a better direction for you? I would be happy to hear about your experiences.

If you’re going through hell, keep going.

Today’s quote is from Winston Churchill: „If you’re going through hell, keep going.“

Churchill was the driving force behind Britain’s resistance during the Second World War. He symbolized perseverance and led the alliance between England, the USA, and the USSR. In his inaugural speech, he declared, „I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.“ As he surveyed the damage from German bombing raids, the resilient British people called out to him, „We can take it. Pay them back!“(Winston Churchill: Die Schlüsselfigur im Krieg gegen Hitler – [GEO]))

Churchill endured the trials of two world wars, actively participating rather than merely being present. Despite being an unloved son, he maintained self-belief. Confident in his destiny for greatness, he indeed achieved it, securing his legacy as one of Britain’s most eminent politicians. (Winston Churchill – Wikipedia)

The quote is indeed powerful. Hell is depicted as an unpleasant, scorching, dark, and likely solitary place, embodying all conceivable negatives. To not be swayed by this and to persevere demands considerable discipline, persistence, and a touch of obstinacy. Conversely, such conduct, I believe, is replete with hope and motivation. It demonstrates resilience and a robust, steadfast personality. Navigating through hell undeniably necessitates having a goal and a strategy. Adequate preparation would also be advantageous. Particularly when you feel ensnared in hell, it’s crucial to recognize your talents and skills and devise a strategy to escape swiftly.

To stop in hell is to burn up inside. Your only protection is to keep trying and to move on to the next goal with sincerity and a plan.

What advice would you offer to those enduring their own personal hell?

Equality a matter of mindset

My father, who died on 29 February 2024, often used today’s Latin quote of unknown origin. ‘Quod licet lovi, non licet bovi.’ Translated, this means: ‘What is licit to Jupiter is not licit to the ox.’

My father always used this quote when he did something that we were not allowed to do, e.g. having two desserts or driving without wearing a seatbelt.

Applied to the professional situation, some people also tend to think of themselves as Jupiter and people in a lower hierarchical position than the ‘bovis’. For example, a supervisor allows himself to work from abroad for several weeks while his employees have to come into the office. There are also companies where managers dine in a separate area and receive more exquisite meals, than hierarchical lower employees.

Even in everyday life, there are people who think they are better than others and elevate themselves to the status of ‘Iovi’. They push ahead, push others back or turn up their car radios at night and blast through the city, but would complain the other way round if the neighbours‘ children were louder.

Is such a quote still relevant today? In this day and age, you can become anything and quickly lose something or even everything. Does a self-proclaimed ‘Iovi’ always remain an ‘Iovi’ or can he/she quickly become a ‘bovi’ due to external changes and vice versa? Don’t we all need more humility and gratitude in our roles? Because many things can change very quickly, and then it would be wise, if we simply saw ourselves as human beings with the same value, the same rights and with the same emotions and needs.

Wouldn’t it be nicer to meet as equals and allow others to do what we allow ourselves to do?

What are your thoughts?