A claim describes the attitude, the „drive“, the "essence" behind a brand, e.g., „Nike – Just do it!“. For people like me - personal brand, consulting - finding a claim means, in a way, distilling one's own essence into 2-3 words. Ideally, it should also capture what working with me means for my clients. Ideally, all of this should be immediately palpable to everyone as soon as they read the claim. Sounds impossible? Yes, it is. Unless you are part of a great business community where the initiator conducts a „claims sprint“ with you. And so, in November 2023, my first claim finally found me: Headbanging instead of nodding. And what can I say, I LOVE him. What's in my claim? Quite simple: My essence, how I am, how I work and in which direction I guide my clients. That's where I, as a person, and my business are.

The meaning behind it

My claim is a linguistic image for the step away from work that "just fits" towards work that is truly exciting and much, much more than just "fitting.".

For my customers, that means - whether individuals, teams, networks, associations, companies... - moving away from experiencing a situation where your only will to act is to nod along to whatever comes because it's not really yours. Towards an impact where you are fully in your element because you decide for yourself what and when you invest your energy and what you align your Self-Efficacy® with. With enthusiasm and so much energy that others immediately follow and join in. Regardless of your environment, because it's about you and your topics that make you want to headbang. And believe it or not, this is even possible if you stay in your current position, your company, your private environment. At the same time, it also describes the energy that I bring into the spaces where I work. One thing I always hear during, before, and after appointments: "When you come into the room, you bring such great energy with you! And afterward, we take that energy with us and are motivated to keep going. Even with difficult topics." I live for headbanging instead of nodding. Because I can't do it any other way. That's just how I am. I can't stand environments where nodding in agreement is the norm for long. That's one of the reasons I became self-employed. I wanted more great projects with great people on brilliant topics in my life, with variety and diversity. And I wanted to give as many people as possible—especially those who can and want to make a positive difference in our world—the "headbanger drive" so they can advance their cause with conviction, fun, motivation, and yes, headbanging.

Why headbanging?

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a music lover. And it doesn't matter what genre. I always say, it just has to be good. Whether it's on a compositional level or due to the lyrics, the intention, the emotion, or even the feeling it evokes in me. And since I'm quite musically talented and have a good feel for it, these are not exclusively songs from the current charts (in fact, almost never). One of the genres that has accompanied me the longest is alternative rock and metal. I have always loved going to festivals and concerts. And also headbanging.

What I associate with headbanging

For me, headbanging represents a special feeling for life that has many different levels:

• Headbanging is powerful. It's a bit like merging with the music while also being very powerful; somehow it can also be fun, and you're completely in the moment, completely with yourself, consciously using your own strength. Have you ever practiced headbanging? I have very long hair, so it was always a natural fit. Even though my neck often wasn't too thrilled about it. Unfortunately, I have to admit that this neck protest increases with age for me as well. Maybe I should incorporate it into my fitness routine?
• Headbanging is „Just Being“. There are no strict rules, no „this is how it should be done“; everyone wears, does, dances whatever they feel like. I believe I've rarely seen as many fascinating, authentic people as at metal events. And what's more, without anyone taking any „harm“ from it. The event grounds are almost cleaner afterward than before.
• Headbanging stands for liberation. At festivals and concerts like these, people from all sorts of different backgrounds come together, out of love for the music and the feelings associated with it. And it's not uncommon for this love to only find a place there, at the festivals, and less so in everyday life. And it's so beautiful to see how powerful it can be when people can be their true selves in one place.
• Headbanging stands for connection. Where metalheads gather, there's immediately a familial atmosphere. Children are often present too (with ear protection, of course), and there's no upper age limit either. Even if I go to a concert or festival alone, you're never lonely. Most people are very open, and a joy for life is palpable. I know some people who can't stand this genre tend to think of dark, scary, violent figures. But that's not the case. At least, I've never experienced anything like that myself.
• Headbanging is also lightness. It should be easy. Easy to connect with others, to move, to feel. Even if everything around you might be difficult, the topics in the news, your personal situation, experiences.

What headbanging has to do with my business

Headbanging in a musical context is understandable. But what does that have to do with leadership coaching, team development, and healthy work cultures? I'd be happy to tell you. Take this feeling I described in the previous paragraph (connectedness, liberation, strength, simply being, lightness) and imagine: how brilliant would it be if we could anchor this feeling everywhere? Not just at festivals, but also at work, in everyday life, when dealing with difficult topics. My clients often tell me that I radiate so much energy, that I shine like the sun and am able to motivate everyone so that what previously seemed impossible becomes possible together, with ease. It's about moving something forward, becoming active. It's about choosing to discover your own self-efficacy POWER ®, as a leader, as a team, as a company. And thereby moving something. Headbanging 😉

Why nodding stands in contrast to headbanging

Now you can probably already guess why nodding is the opposite of headbanging. Nodding is accepting, passively receiving, partly with the underlying belief „It's always been this way,“ „We've tried this so many times and it never worked out.“. It is also, on an individual level, an acceptance of one's situation based on the (learned) conviction that it is still the best possible or only feasible alternative. Sometimes it is also the result of exhaustion because no impulse that a person makes to change something for the better is accepted. Frustration that the situation does not improve, even though it could easily happen, but it is not implemented. It is the inner resignation, making oneself smaller, the attempt to disappear because a person simply wants peace. And then nodding along becomes the rule.

We need more headbanging and less nodding everywhere.

II am convinced that we have our lives in our own hands. We are fortunate to live in a liberal democracy and have the power to shape our lives. And we should use it. For ourselves, but also for the people around us and for society. There are so many people with brilliant visions for the future. But all of this rarely penetrates all the levels that would be needed for something to truly happen. That is my mission: to bring more headbanging to those people, teams, and organizations that want to make a positive difference.

On an individual level

In my opinion, these future leaders who are committed to positive societal change are unfortunately rarely found in high management positions so far. This shows my experience from years of working with companies, networks, associations, projects, and leaders from a wide range of industries. Especially those who are empathetic and advocate for equal opportunities and equal worth, often don't play the "elbow game" necessary for a steep career ladder. I belong to this group too: I prefer to keep my eye on the big picture, avoid conflict, don't play games, and favor cooperation over competition. This often leaves little room for action, except to wait for the topics and values that are important to me to be integrated into the company strategy and for the space to be created to make a difference. However, this waiting game is one of those things, because experience has shown that what is expected rarely happens. And along the way, more agreements are usually nodded through than enthusiastically embraced. I am convinced that by headbanging instead of nodding off as an attitude, and with the right steps, those who will move us forward as a society can finally become leaders. Even without an elbow-grease strategy. This is what I work on with my clients. With the leaders of tomorrow, I help them find their very own path to their personal leadership personality. Without rollercoasters. Without an elbow-pushing culture, but with headbanging and a look beyond the literal to our society.

At the team level

You won't believe what can be set in motion when team members discover how to pool their individual Self-Efficacy ® so that they can apply it in a common direction. This can address a topic that has been important to the team for many years but hasn't had the right priority yet, or has often gotten lost. It can also be about how they organize themselves in a way that is just right for their very own way of working, and how they finally figure out how to convince others of their topic and the intended goal. But it can just as easily be about a new awareness of how the team can best operate within the prevailing contextual conditions. It's about collective self-efficacy and self-determination. It's about more headbanging.

On an organizational level

If we look at an even higher level, entire organizations can also pave their way with more headbanging instead of nodding. This requires cultural work. Many companies don't even know exactly what the untapped potential within their ranks looks like. Because this requires participation, and real participation at that, which goes beyond surveys and the one-way transmission of information. It takes the courage to create a work environment in which self-efficacy® every single person and all teams can develop. This cannot be done top-down, but only through dialogue. Workplace health promotion offers a low-threshold opportunity to explore the framework conditions and get initial hints about what potential lies dormant or is disappearing where. This is because a central pillar is participation and its long-term integration into the strategic structure.

Do you want more headbanging instead of head-nodding in your life?

If reading this has sparked a desire in you to headbang more and nod off less, whether you're on your own, with your team, or within your company. Or if you want to build your upcoming leadership role with a headbanging approach and self-efficacy (SelbstwirkKRAFT®) right from the start, then feel free to get in touch with me for a no-obligation, free initial consultation. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Let's Headbäng! Initial consultation