#Leadership Development #Organizational Development #Agile Organization #Regenerative Business

It was during my time at university that I started to be amazed ... firstly, about discovering that I was interested in economic issues, something that had not been obvious up to that point, and secondly my fascination with exploring living systems and the inexplicability of their complex nature. Exploration and wonder has become my vocation.

When I left school, I faced a crossroads: the one direction was “practical, honest no-frills trade” while the other was “general degree, understand what holds the world together” (I didn’t want to do anything less than that - funny how it is with personal ambition).

I have Italian roots and when I was a child I spent the summer holidays at my aunt’s house in Sicily. There was never any problem that couldn’t be solved with a large plate of pasta.

What opened my eyes was the first ever business simulation I took part in. I was a bit of a rookie as financial controller in a holding company. The work was fun, but I felt separate from the rest of the corporate group. Then came the business simulation on the topic of financial management. Suddenly, right in front of me on the “playing board” was the WHOLE company.

“It’s just like riding a bike – you will never unlearn it” – a wonderful way of looking at creating learning experiences, in my view. And indeed cycling has been part of me all my life and it is an excellent reminder about maintaining balance in life. It would have to be a child’s bike, because I grow as a result of and with my children, while always being the one who leads. And it's more fun.

When I started climbing, a climbing instructor said to me, ”you must fully visualize your route in advance and feel properly secured to the rock face” At the time, I thought I wouldn’t be able to plan every step ahead and make sure everything is 100% secure.

When I’m not working, I like to jump on my motorcycle – as a passionate passenger – and explore the region. I really love throwing together a few self-made treats and a large blanket that I will spread everything out on and live life to the fullest.

During my education, my trainer took me climbing in the mountains for the first time. Challenging myself, planning carefully, being ready to face changing situations and relying on my climbing partner fascinated me and I haven’t forgotten this experience since.

When I was in school, I had the impression that the natural sciences were just not for me. I carried this belief around with me for a long time. That was until I started to get interested in wine growing.

My view of the world is shaped by many different private and professional vantage points - through people, extensive travel and the widely different roles and jobs I have had throughout my life.

I gain inspiration from going for walks in the countryside – preferably barefoot. When I want to recharge my batteries and clear my head, I set off for the forest or to the ocean. I love being there particularly before others arrive or after they’ve left. I can breathe deeply and acquire new energy to be ready and receptive for everything that will come my way.

The question I regularly ask myself: what’s on the agenda today? As the Chief Officer of my life, I decide what tasks I will tackle. Often, minor decisions have brought about major changes in my life, such as moving home or switching jobs.

Me resting on a stick that acts like a third leg, enabling me to immerse myself fully in and reflect upon the wide-angle panorama: as a leadership developer in owner-managed organizations, this position and perspective helps me when I think I just can’t make any progress.

What shapes and inspires my work is the combination of opposing perspectives, aesthetics and realities. The peace and natural beauty of my chosen home in the Rhön mountain allows me to access my inner self, where the pulsating big-city life of the years I spent in Berlin have also found their place.

With three children, time for the family was often in short supply. So many things had to happen in rapid succession: food, clean teeth, get dressed. Only many years later did I put a name to what it was that characterizes me today – and makes me laugh and sometimes roll my eyes.

My curiosity in people has been driven by the many different characters surrounding me since I was a child. Today, I never fail to be amazed at the complexity and circularity of our actions and the inevitable praxadoxes that arise, particularly in the contexts of social systems.

When I go into my garden, all I do there is take care of its needs. Hoeing, sowing, watering, weeding – working with nature is a lot of fun and my garden rewards my efforts with a plentiful harvest and a sea of flowers.

Awareness. Respect for what is. Humanity. For me groundbreaking. Inspiration through nature. Broadening one’s horizon and exploring visions - this is the gift of the mountains.