Insights

Antonín Kinský bei einem Fussballspiel mit einem anderen Spieler

How to destroy psychological safety in 17 minutes!

The public humiliation of a young goalkeeper shows how quickly leadership can slip into a culture of fear under pressure. Those who punish mistakes immediately destroy trust and take away people’s courage to realize their potential. Psychological safety is therefore not a “soft” factor, but the foundation for real performance.

Wolfgang mit Hansi Flick auf der Tribune

High Performance needs Leaders who help others to flourish not languish!

Nagelsmann’s public criticism of his players shows how quickly leadership can focus on deficits. Yet research on the Pygmalion effect shows that people perform better when their strengths and potential are emphasized. Coaches like Kompany or Flick therefore rely more on trust rather than public criticism.

Porträt von Ilia Malinin

Olympic champions aren’t made by talent alone—nor by skill alone!

The Olympics show that talent and skill may bring athletes to the starting line—but they do not decide who wins gold. Under maximum pressure, those who remain mentally present and can manage their emotions prevail—what psychology calls emotional agility. This very ability to act clearly despite pressure is also what determines extraordinary performance in business.

Starthaus Ski

WHEN HEROES FALL: WHERE DOES COURAGE END AND WHERE DOES RECKLESSNESS BEGIN? THE CASE OF Lindsey Vonn AND Aleksander Aamodt Kilde

Lindsey Vonn’s comeback powerfully shows what is possible when people believe in themselves and keep fighting despite setbacks. At the same time, her serious crash raises an important question: Where does courage end—and where does recklessness begin? Sometimes it doesn’t just take strength to push through. It can take even more courage to recognize your own limits and say: Not yet.

Djokovic und Alcaraz in einer Umarmung bei einem Spiel

Love your greatest rivals, and you will grow stronger.

In elite sports, we increasingly see a new pattern: the best athletes are fierce competitors on the field—and often close allies off it. Research shows that this form of “coopetition” (cooperation and competition at the same time) accelerates the learning curve and promotes peak performance. Those who see competitors not only as a threat but also as a source of learning develop faster—a mindset that is still far too rare in business.

Djokovic am Boden kniend mit offenen Armen

“I’m not chasing. I’m creating my own history.”

Novak Djokovic once again shows that peak performance does not fail first because of the body—but because of the stories we tell ourselves. While many have long written him off because of his age, he continues to write his own narrative—driven by self-efficacy and a deep belief in his own capabilities. Performance follows identity.

Porträt von Wolfgang Jenewein

Where there is no light, there is no growth.

The heliotropic effect shows that just as plants grow toward the light, people also orient themselves toward positive energy. In organizations, employees therefore tend to follow those who give energy—“energizers”—and avoid those who drain it. Leadership is therefore not only about delivering results, but about creating an environment in which people find energy, direction, and confidence.

Porträt von Wolfgang Jenewein

Zoom, Botox, and Presence: Why Leaders Are Re-evaluating Their Faces

More and more men—including those in top management—are undergoing cosmetic procedures. Studies on the beauty premium effect show that attractiveness is often unconsciously associated with competence, while video calls can intensify the focus on one’s own appearance through Zoom dysmorphia.
Yet lasting impact does not come from external optimization, but from inner development: competence, character, and maturity carry further than a perfect face.

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