Do it yourself!

As a former Vice Director for Immigration and Integration at the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, I have successfully resolved complex legal and strategic issues over many years, both in negotiations with the EU and as a bridge-builder between the federal government and the cantons. My most important guideline has been that a fact-based, transparent, and trustworthy collaboration across hierarchies is the essential foundation for sustainable solutions (Link to short bio).

To achieve this, a leader must work on his own prerequisites: She must be open to learning and asking questions, to acknowledge her ignorance as readily as her knowledge, and to trust herself and others. But let's be honest: being in a top leadership role for many years often impedes personal development. Omniscience is expected, and there is little time to verify facts or get to know people personally. This is a serious trap that I have also fallen into repeatedly.

How are you doing in your leadership position? When was the last time you:

• Had an in-depth conversation about something personal with a professional contact, a negotiation partner, or an employee and felt that "click"? That was harmony, trust, the most secure ground of all.

• Admitted in a meeting or negotiation with external partners that you did not know what the other person (or your employee) was talking about?

• Taught yourself something new? Something really new? And stepped out of your comfort zone?

• Got your hands on something and tackled it yourself?

I can assure you, it helps. In working fact-based, in trusting yourself and others, in finding solutions. Give it a try!

PS: Since I am no longer in a leadership role, I have finally taken driving lessons (with a focus on parallel parking), obtained a radio license for coastal waters from the British Royal Yacht Association, and learned from a gardener how to properly prune hydrangeas. I wouldn't have had the chance to do this before...