Today I am using the quote from Matthias Claudius "If someone goes on a journey, he has a story to tell". In this case, I'm taking you with me on my return journey by train in the first-class compartment from Vienna back to Ulm in mid-October.
I admit it: I was eavesdropping. The three gentlemen in the seats in front of me were really hard to ignore. Unfortunately, my headphones didn't help either. So I had three and a half hours to gather ideas for countless articles.
What were the conversations about?
The excessive bureaucracy in Germany. The opaque jungle of rules and regulations. The introduction of e-billing from January 1, 2025. Job security and the issue of employer responsibility. They also discussed the constant pressure to prove everything in detail, be it proof of training or the first aid course. And, of course, the topic of cars was not to be missed.
The three gentlemen were on their way back from a short vacation in the beautiful Wachau region. I gathered from their descriptions (say "Sherlock" to me) that they were entrepreneurs and had taken some time out together. Apparently, one of them had been firmly rooted in the automotive industry for years - and was quite successful.
In between the recollections of the relaxing days on the Danube, the frustration about everyday working life with its almost insurmountable challenges for entrepreneurs kept coming up.
The car market in Germany is currently undergoing massive upheaval, to put it mildly, and is the number one topic in the media. Insolvencies, electric cars, customs duties, extremely high energy costs and a collapsing market for combustion engines. Politicians are interfering in the automotive market and the loss of the largest engine in the German economy is palpable.
The electroplating industry in particular can tell you a thing or two about it. After all, countless electroplating companies in Germany work as suppliers to the automotive industry.
The problems that entrepreneurs are currently facing are truly numerous and almost unmanageable. Bureaucracy ties up valuable resources. And so many companies are struggling to meet the technical standards. At the same time, they are trying to optimize their digital processes.
Wasn't there something else?
Oh yes - the core business!
The range of goods and services must not be neglected either. Otherwise the tax office will start complaining again and liquidity will disappear into the ground never to be seen again!
As I'm always on LinkedIn, I came across a post this morning with a memorable picture of Ms. Ute Hiller, whose law firm is one of the top 100 tax consultancies in Germany:
"Journey to Jerusalem"
She explains that the hashtag #TaxAdvisory is playing the familiar game. However, for some time now, new chairs have been constantly being pushed in between, so that
- Chairs remain unoccupied
- you sit between the chairs
- some people like to sit on familiar chairs
- people squabble over the new chairs
- the seating arrangement is not clear or changes again too quickly
And it is precisely this image that I like so much and fits perfectly with the dilemma of every entrepreneur.
So what should you do if you, as an entrepreneur or manager, have this unpleasant, frightening feeling of not knowing where your head is at?
Before you start looking for solutions, it is extremely important to accept the current situation. Don't let the many "empty chairs" - i.e. unresolved tasks - stress you out.
Take a deep breath and recognize that it is completely normal to have challenges. Take enough time to calmly reflect on what is really important.
Take the opportunity to try out new "chairs" - you might actually be surprised at how many innovative solutions and new, different approaches there are.
By the way ... well-informed and resilient leaders are able to act creatively and effectively even in challenging situations and recognize new opportunities.
And sometimes it takes the courage to take a gap in order to move forward.
My tip today to help you become a resilient leader:
Schedule regular exercise into your calendar. Exercise several times a week. A quarter of an hour's jogging or a brisk walk every day can work wonders.
Your mitochondria will thank you, as they are responsible for healthy ageing. Michael Ristow, internist and professor of energy metabolism at ETH Zurich, recommends this.
After all, as managers and entrepreneurs, we want to retire reasonably fit and relaxed and enjoy life "afterwards" to the full. Without biting the dust at 55, stressed out, totally overwhelmed and exhausted.
