"Markus also gets something away from time to time."
This sentence, said about me by a managing director, hits the nail on the head.
Because too many companies talk about being a manager in fine-sounding terms: Agile Leadership , Leadership at eye level , Empowerment – all buzzwords that have their justification. But: If leadership becomes exclusively a cuddle round, it loses its effectiveness.
You are not (anymore) in the team – you are part of the team with order
Being a leader does not mean making all decisions in a grassroots democratic team.
Being a manager means that you are part of the team – and at the same time you are responsible for this team. You lead, protect, decide.
The much-praised realignments such as "Leading at eye level" and "Agile Leadership" have their justification. However, many managers make it too easy for themselves when in practice it is only about harmony and well-being. Clarity, consistency, sometimes pain – are just as much a part of it.
Why this is not a contradiction – and why radical leadership is needed right now
A wealth of studies shows that leadership is not only a feel-good atmosphere, but also has measurable effects on commitment, performance and corporate goals.
- Gallup's "Engagement Index Germany 2024" study states that only 21% of employees fully trust their manager. Consistent leadership is not a nice-to-have, but a strategic lever. https://www.hrblue.com/de/gallup-engagement-index-deutschland-2024/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- The study "State of HR 2025" of the German Society for Personnel Management (DGFP) shows: HR management is gaining strategic importance, managers and HR specialists see a need for action. HR work and leadership must be consistent, not just pleasant. DGFP
- Even though "positive leadership" (i.e. leadership styles with a strong focus on emotions/empathy) gets a lot of attention, scientists warn against seeing it as a panacea. Because they sometimes promote "causal illusions". ScienceDirect
These findings coincide with my own experience: If you want to be successful as a leader today, you need: attitude, decisiveness, clarity – and Empathy.
The problem with many of today's understandings of leadership
- Leadership is reduced to "we-do-it-together" in the sense of as much co-determination as possible . That sounds good – but it can make leadership ineffective if responsibility becomes diffuse.
- "Agile" is often confused with "we talk a lot, we leave everything open, we no longer have a hierarchy". But it is precisely when decisions are pending that leadership is needed – clear lines, roles, consistency.
- Many training programs focus on soft skills – communication, teamwork, emotions – but neglect the hard side of leadership: e.g. managing performance, managing conflicts, creating structure.
Our approach: MEbusinessgroup & MEvelopment – different because we see the whole
We think: Modern HR work and employee management must be both: Human and consistent.
That is why we have developed an approach with our MEvelopment program that combines the following:
- Clarity & Structure : Guide keys that provide orientation. Who leads how, with what goal, with what consistency?
- Humanity & Development : We look at people – their potential, their motivation, their further development.
- Courage to make a decision : Leadership also means "clearing away", "realigning", "deciding hard". Not out of arbitrariness – but because the company, the team and the strategy demand it.
- Transfer & Impact : Not only workshop happenings. But modules with depth, practical relevance, implementation mandate, evaluation.
What does this mean in concrete terms for participants and organizations?
- For the manager, this means that you will not only be taught "we are all the same". Rather: How do I really shape leadership – with all its facets? How do I lead my team through change, do I lead people who are critical, strive for performance?
- For the organization, this means that if leadership is effective, better employee retention, increased performance and better strategy implementation follow.
- For the team, this means clarity about roles, expectations, goals – and at the same time real development opportunities.
Why now act?
In an uncertain, complex world, old leadership models are no longer enough. If you think today that whitewashing and "we'll do everything together" will get you far – be careful. The demands on leadership have intensified: speed, adaptation, innovation, cultural change. That's why leadership is needed that combines both: humanity and consistency.
Invitation: Dive in with us
If you are curious about a program that rethinks leadership – not softened, but courageous – then look at MEvelopment.