Themes

Risk and security

Stress, complexity and still feeling comfortable? New beginnings that need leadership, as a questioning of one's own survivability (Richter/Groth); change or no change, for everyone or for a few; rapid or sustainable or both? Learning from extreme cases in order to prevent them. Is it worth it? In the end, it's all about making decisions.

Personality and organisation

What defines me, where am I heading to, what is good for me, how do I stay healthy...? (Me) What is possible, what should I do, what should not be...? (Organisation). Me and my role. Working relationships – good and bad ones. What does my behaviour serve me for? A first step could be to see that what you usually do not see. Or to sketch everything out on a map.

Work and play

Am I paid to do something that fills me with joy? That means I'm actually paid to play. "Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to be a pilot..." In my imagination, I can go anywhere and do anything, as long as I believe in it... Even in an argument, I can play my role well. Fun – ideas come together naturally, and there's a lot of energy... Work is also: duty, doing what is necessary, tackling the unpleasant. Win-win – what is that right now?

Meaning and crisis of meaning

Questions on meaning in chaos – it's almost impossible without new perspectives. What does something mean to me...? Turn ideas upside down. Or just classify and orientate yourself for now: politically, culturally, in the long term. What would you like do do? Understand (accept) or act (fight)?

Connection and conflict

The quality of our lives determined by relationships stems from meaningful connections. Setting boundaries or using communication as a tool with my opponent – or: what can I learn from him/her? Conflict – irreconcilable contradictions or a strategy? Underneath you will find needs, values and relationship history. Managing conflicts wisely – learning to escalate and to repair. Living integrity and anticipating consequences = crisis prevention.

Ambivalence and clarity

How do I perceive things? How does this influence my actions? Am I inflexible – everything always stays the same, I see it this way, and that's how it is. What is beneficial about this ? Am I a leaf in the wind, every day is new, I constantly see everything differently and may constantly doubt. What is beneficial about this? How can I move from concern to action? Promise: ‘Follow these three steps and you will achieve your goal.’ A lot is possible as long as you accept the consequences – advantages and disadvantages. Can you enlarge the pie and create more opportunities? 

Coaching

A new perspective, listening, turning ideas on their head, creating scenarios, drawing up a map or model of your issues... these are some of the things I offer you so that you can view your experiences from different angles. As people learn throughout their lives, you will come to realise for yourself what it is that moves or drives you deep down, and also what resources you already have within you to find a solution. What is change? Is it necessary, or do I just need new arguments to enable me to continue preserving what I have? 

Change and coaching are often a balancing act. What you don't want is to ‘just’ look inward and talk when you need to get started and find practical solutions in a short period of time. But also the opposite – no quick fixes when you're not ready yet. And also taking time to feel what this is really about first.  ‘Just’ psychology and navel-gazing when your environment is strategically, politically and rationally oriented. But also living integrity. ‘Just’ looking at what is healthy for me when the path to my goal can be rock, and I am ready for the challenge. But also questioning my goal, whether it really is the right one. To do this, we can take deep dives and work selectively (pars pro toto), but also reflect on the coaching, halt in between and adjust course if necessary.

Mediation

In deadlocked situations, people talk to each other differently if they ask a third person to moderate the conversation. Behind opposing positions there is usually a deeper, more hidden issue, the understanding of which is the key to finding a solution. The mediator's special "language" makes it possible to gently make this more transparent.

Thanks to our intensive training as mediators, we are able to get to the bottom of the most important causes in just a few hours and, building on this, take the first steps towards a solution.

My job is to ensure a fair discussion that is far better than a dispute and in which you don't have to relive the bad experience. I will get you talking in the right order and with the right wording so that you can take a better look at the situation and relax internally. My approach focuses on identifying interests and needs as well as the dynamics of the interaction. I use systemic approaches for this. Mediation can take 2-5 appointments or longer.


Legal basics can be found in the German mediation law, the associated legislative decree (both in German) and at the Bundesverband Mediation website.

Cooperation and conflict


How can we reduce the 30 billion euros in annual conflict costs in German companies to take an example from my national context (similar numbers can be found for the UK and other countries)? How can we face challenges better and remain productive when even the topic of "conflict" is taboo?

This is exactly where I help my clients : )

I support teams and organisations from the public and private sectors in transforming their culture of cooperation. This begins with identifying what conflicts have relieved you from and made easier for you so far, and whether you really want to get rid of them or would rather settle into them more comfortably (both legitimate options), and involves fully accepting yourself and others.

We find answers to the following questions:
  • How you can reduce conflict complexity through conflict analysis (type, escalation level, issue, players, etc.).
  • How high chances are that internal players actually want to resolve a current conflict.
  • How to avoid traps when dealing with feelings of powerlessness.
  • How conflict prevention becomes routine for you.
  • How you can motivate your employees more strongly for team spirit, regardless of their possibly diverse backgrounds.

Network with me on Linkedin or read my blog articles on conflict management. In the German business magazine  02/2020 brand eins (link to instagram page)  you will find an article on mediation and my work in Burundi, East Africa (German).

Let's find out together if I can support you in finding an easy way to a culture of cooperation and strengthen good practices in your organization.


Organizations - teams - large groups

My specialization lies in organizations, teams and groups - for twenty years I have analyzed, advised and trained civil society organizations, especially in the non-profit sector, moderated conferences and workshops, mediated conflicts and helped develop various solutions. I have also worked with state actors and organizations, where I myself work as a team leader. Methods of participation and visualization and procedures for balancing representation, debate and progress are central here.

"You always repeat so much of what we say!" I often hear - mediation goes quite deeply into the conversation and, in contrast to other methods, slows down the pace and works more thoroughly. A mediator questions, turns, feels, looks again, attends, makes sure things are going well, follows every word and every single glance... Nevertheless, I am known for my efficient methods - getting to the heart of things and sometimes working pragmatically. I am sometimes touched when conflicting parties really appreciate each other, even in a dispute. Then things really move forward in a sustainable way.

 

Training

Lifelong learning has never been easier – a compass for reducing complexity, knowing what is essential and how content should be presented can be invaluable here. From small work meetings to conferences with several hundred participants – tailor-made, externally moderated training courses lead to better results in a short period of time. I have been moderating seminar participants, panels with experts from politics, research or business, young people, work meetings, advisory board meetings, cross-departmental evaluation meetings and association meetings.... Thanks to my many years of experience in political education and twenty years of designing workshops and training courses both in Germany and internationally, I can offer you tailor-made services on a wide range of topics.

It is particularly important to me that everyone has an equal opportunity to have their say and contribute and that questions are answered genuinely and comprehensively.

I am available for a free, non-committal briefing . You are welcome to contact me.