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What does professionalism mean to you?
Naturally, there are many aspects here, yet I would like to pick one out that appears to me to be particularly important. Desired changes are long processes, sometimes with unexpected developments. Therefore, professionalism is going «step by step» together with the customer and not following an overall concept prepared in advance, which doesn’t take the unexpected into account.
So, how would a professional first step look?
First of all, a common understanding of the actual situation is established in an initial workshop for the people to whom this change is relevant. Thereafter, the success factors as well as possible blockades are identified. This, in turn, leads us to the most important leverage points. Only then do we define the next steps or next measures together with the customer. Our experience with other companies helps in the process.
Pressure is increasing. A popular buzzword is «work life balance»…
….which I personally do not like. That is because it says it is about the balance between work and life. As though it were split. I leave the office at 5 p.m. and then life starts?
That’s ridiculous!
Every person would like to lead a meaningful life, and this means that I can live and experience my values. It doesn’t make any difference whether it is on the job or in leisure time.
Therefore, I plead for «life balance».
You mention Viktor Frankl in the «Education» category. Can you comment on this?
Viktor Frankl’s idea of man influenced me a great deal both privately and in my career and perhaps even helped to shape me. Here is a sample to reflect on: Frankl pointed out a very nice way to illustrate the difference between «purposeful» and «meaningful».
The question about the purpose of a decision, action etc. is as follows: «What’s in it for me?» if I make that decision/act that way… and the question about the meaningfulness is: «What will it make me?» Unfortunately, the second question is not asked as often…