#72 The human factor: strategy coaching in a digital age

At our StrategySummit 2024 in Düsseldorf, Jürgen had the chance to interview three outstanding experts in leadership and strategy coaching:

Lina Maria Pietras, founder of purposehub and an internationally recognized keynote speaker, Matthias Schmitz, entrepreneur and advocate for strategy culture, Dr. Marc Sniukas, also an entrepreneur and an experienced StrategyAdvisor.

Together they discussed the topic "The human factor: the role of strategy coaching in a digital age."

Digitalization, AI & the role of people

The experts discussed the opportunities of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) and how these technologies can free people from monotonous, demeaning tasks. That creates room for creative and conceptual work, which in turn solves problems that make life more human. Despite all the technical support, decision-making stays with people, who drive creativity, recognize individual needs, and shape how a company develops.

Strategy needs leadership: what makes leadership coaching work?

A central point of the discussion is the importance of leadership coaching in the strategy process. It's about guiding leaders through the entire strategy process, presenting tools that actually work, and building a partnership between coach and CEO or leadership team. The experts especially emphasize the key role of the CEO's personal needs and self-leadership. A good coach helps create a work environment where employees are glad to take responsibility and can grow.

New work and remote work: effects on company culture

Another hotly debated topic is the new culture of remote and flexible work and its influence on business success. Can a sense of team develop digitally, too? The experts agree that technology isn't what makes teams drift apart; what matters is the right motivation and sense of belonging among team members. Vision, values, and a clear purpose are decisive for a strong team culture, whether people work together in person or virtually.

Finding the right strategy coach

To close, the experts share valuable tips on how to find the right strategy coach yourself. A shared understanding of strategy and expectations is crucial. A qualified coach should be certified and able to understand both the people and the system, and to support the process. A good coach brings an open mind and doesn't hand over ready-made solutions, but works closely with the leadership team to achieve the best lasting results.

SHOW NOTES

StrategyFrame® ACADEMY

StrategySummitLina Maria Pietras Dr. Marc Sniukas Matthias Schmitz Prof. Jürgen Weigand Christian Underwood StrategyFrame Podcast "Hope Is Not a Strategy"Book "Hope Is Not a Strategy"