futurehub

Some key findings:

• In connection with Self-Leadership, classic values and virtues have a great importance for lots of the interviewees. Furthermore, the nearly fifty conducted conversations show that rituals and rhythms play a particularly important role.

• There are different degrees of personal freedom and self-determination for the leaders I have interviewed, but whatever degree there is, Self-Leadership requires realizing one’s freedom and leeway and actually taking advantage of it to unfold a vision or mission.

• Technical instruments, such as BlackBerrys or PDAs, play a subordinate role - interestingly “planning on paper” has a high priority for various leaders.

After a lot of travelling, both in Germany and in Italy, I am still struggling to get some more interviews with leading women. I was very lucky - and happy - to get the chance for a conversation with Susanne Höhn, managing director of the Goethe-Institutes in Italy. However, there are some frustrations in connection with this project of mine, too: another appointment in Rome with a top leader was cancelled in the short term. But Self-Leadership also means to make the most of any given situation - so I had the chance to sip an espresso macchiato on the Campo dei Fiori, watching the clean-up ritual.

Transition II (2007, Sept./Nov.)

In memory of my aunt Ursula Heinrichs who passed away on June, 13.

futurehub stands for a my personal place to collect and connect ideas, products, books, articles, etc. that play a role in my life and might be helpful for friends, colleagues, or clients. Now – at the beginning of 2008 - is the right time to use this address and start my English Blog (see my German Blog here).