1. What I like about my job
As a journalist, but also as a ghostwriter, communications consultant and presenter, I get to learn a lot about great people and share their stories. Leading people into conversation, learning new things, developing myself constantly, gaining insight into labs and companies, always moving forward, having the chance to impart knowledge and inspiration... That's what excites me.
2. What sometimes frustrates me
I would like to write a lot more and change things up with my content more. And as a self-employed worker, the fact that I'm my own IT manager can be annoying at times.
3. My secret dream job
Hotel tester – There must be something in my blood that makes me notice every little detail, even when I'm traveling. Surely there are ways to monetize that 😊?
4. Best strategy to survive a really bad day at the office
Fortunately, bad days are truly the exception for me. But if I do have one, I take a break, treat myself to something nice, and remind myself: This too shall pass. It's just work. There are so many more important things in life.
5. When I'm in the flow...
... I forget about the world around me – it usually happens while researching a new article or moderating in a beautiful location.
6. Biggest success so far
I have experienced great moments at each stage of my career – during my studies, at journalism school, when I had my first scoop, PR victories, new business ventures. But throughout all this, my biggest success is probably my shift in mindset: away from drama and the longing for security, towards a positive, solution-oriented and entrepreneurial thinking – the keyword is Growth Mindset. If I hadn’t learned to see change as something good, I wouldn't be so happy in self-employment today.
7. Biggest defeat
A big PR blunder that almost wiped me off the map – that wasn’t fun...
8. Worst buzzword
Innovation, when it’s not innovative at all.
9. Best reward after a hard week at work
Stepping onto my surfboard or a cool white wine.
10. Home office or in-house
I need good spaces to be creative. A mixture of home office, coworking areas, cafés and hotels hits the spot for me – but I can work just as easily work on a bench by the lake or, in an emergency, in my car. This freedom is part of the reason I love my job.
11. Most important traits a colleague/business partner must have
Being human. German speakers, see KarriereBibel.
12. My creative hack
I have several of those:
1. Writing: my job, my life elixir. Journaling has become one of the most important aspects of my routine. To keep track of ideas and significant events, to reflect, to gather inspiration, and to connect everything together. In my experience, it works best when I treat it like piecing together pieces of a mosaic.
2. Networking: a particularly important resource for me. For example, I have regular brainstorming meetings with colleagues. During these exchanges in small circles, I always receive valuable new stimuli and support.
3. Workations: At least once a year, I disappear to a good place for a week to develop new ideas – far away from family and daily business.
13. First website to check in the morning
Instagram
14. Favorite digital tool
Zoom. And soon, hopefully, my own VR goggles.
15. The book or series from which I have learned the most for my (work) life
Presence by Amy Cuddy. German title: Dein Körper spricht für dich
16. A series, book or podcast I can recommend to anyone
Series – I'm not a big series fan, but I am a docu-junkie. Abstract: The Art of Design (Netflix).
Books – “Sprache und Sein”, a must-read by Kübra Gümüşay
“New York liegt im Neandertal” (E.W. Heine) – The adventurous history of mankind from the cave to the skyscraper
Podcasts – “Ada – heute das Morgen verstehen” to learn all about new technologies
“Nix für Umme”, a wonderful new podcast all about value assessment in the creative industries
17. Most prominent follower on a social media channel?
I'll go and have a look...
17 and a half: What has always...
...fascinated me are design, art, architecture, technology and nature. People like Neri Oxman, who along with her team at the MIT Media Lab, sees how everything is connected and rethinks how the future could develop. With Bio-architecture, for example. These ideas are essential for our future. I believe that we can only create real innovations and solve challenges such as climate change if we bring together our knowledge from the most diverse corners, and have the courage to do radically new things. The binding element for this is communication, and I would like to help shape that process.
