What does self-leadership mean to you personally?

Every morning I reflect on who and what I want to be there for today, what I want to achieve today. And every evening, I evaluate things. If something didn't go well that day, I simply remind myself to get up the next morning and try to do better.

Your statement on self-leadership could also be interpreted as a micro-guideline for an entire team. So what is the difference to leadership, is there one at all?

There is one: Leadership is about motivating people to achieve ambitious goals. And the best motivation for this is not extrinsic, but intrinsic. In other words: A leader must promote a vision – a vision that moves hearts.

Such a heartfelt vision is probably also needed for the change leadership that is so widely discussed these days.

'Change' first means giving the team a picture of the target state. Then it is important to emphasise the urgency of the reasons why change is necessary.

What then follows in the change process?

The leader has several tasks in the change process itself. In the first change phase, when the employees have the feeling that they are on a rollercoaster or in a downward spiral, the leader reassures them that they have their place in the team and in the work process.

And then the leader guides the team to the top.

Yes, but the downhill journey is usually followed by the arrival in the valley of tears. And thent he leader has to set the pace and pull the people along so that they don't get stuck in the valley of tears. It is therefore about the realisation of the ascent phase: The leader is the mountain guide who leads the rope team on the ascent and secures them.

Self-leadership? 

Constantly reflecting, questioning yourself and being honest when things aren't going so well. And listening to inputs from others can help enormously: self-criticism is the elixir of improvement. But sometimes you can also do something good for yourself: sit by the lake for two or three hours just doing nothing!

Self-leadership and leadership?

It's simple: Have always a passionate vision, never give up - and have an empathetic team.